This article is about the German motor vehicle manufacturer. For other uses, see BMW (disambiguation).
Trading logo since 2020 |
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BMW Headquarters in Munich, Germany |
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Type | Public (Aktiengesellschaft) |
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Traded as |
FWB: BMW DAX Component |
Industry | Automotive |
Predecessors | Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik Rapp Motorenwerke Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach |
Founded | 7 March 1916; 106 years ago (as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke) |
Founders |
|
Headquarters |
Munich , Germany |
Area served |
Worldwide |
Key people |
Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board |
Products |
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Production output |
|
Brands |
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Services | Financial services |
Revenue | €111.239 billion (2021)[1] |
Operating income |
€16.060 billion (2021)[1] |
Net income |
€12.463 billion (2021)[1] |
Total assets | €229.527 billion (2021)[1] |
Total equity | €75.132 billion (2021)[1] |
Owners | Public float (50%); Stefan Quandt (29%), Susanne Klatten (21%) |
Number of employees |
118,909 (2021)[1] |
Website | bmw.com bmwgroup.com |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, abbreviated as BMW (German pronunciation: [ˌbeːʔɛmˈveː] (listen)), is a German multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Bavaria. The corporation was founded in 1916 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines, which it produced from 1917 until 1918 and again from 1933 to 1945.
Automobiles are marketed under the brands BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce, and motorcycles are marketed under the brand BMW Motorrad. In 2017, BMW was the world’s fourteenth-largest producer of motor vehicles, with 2,279,503 vehicles produced.[2] The company has significant motor-sport history, especially in touring cars, sports cars, and the Isle of Man TT.
BMW is headquartered in Munich and produces motor vehicles in Germany, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Quandt family is a long-term shareholder of the company (with the remaining shares owned by public float), following investments by the brothers Herbert and Harald Quandt in 1959 which saved the company from bankruptcy.
History
Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik was founded in 1910 by Gustav Otto in Bavaria. The firm was reorganized on 7 March 1916 into Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG. This company was then renamed to Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) in 1922. However the name BMW dates back to 1913, when the original company to use the name was founded by Karl Rapp (initially as Rapp Motorenwerke GmbH). The name and Rapp Motorenwerke’s engine-production assets were transferred to Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in 1922, who adopted the name the same year.[3] BMW’s first product was a straight-six aircraft engine called the BMW IIIa, designed in the spring of 1917 by engineer Max Friz. Following the end of World War I, BMW remained in business by producing motorcycle engines, farm equipment, household items and railway brakes. The company produced its first motorcycle, the BMW R 32 in 1923.
BMW became an automobile manufacturer in 1928 when it purchased Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach, which, at the time, built Austin Sevens under licence under the Dixi marque.[4] The first car sold as a BMW was a rebadged Dixi called the BMW 3/15, following BMW’s acquisition of the car manufacturer Automobilwerk Eisenach. Throughout the 1930s, BMW expanded its range into sports cars and larger luxury cars.
Aircraft engines, motorcycles, and automobiles would be BMW’s main products until World War II. During the war, BMW concentrated on aircraft engine production using as many as 40,000 slave laborers.[5] These consisted primarily of prisoners from concentration camps, most prominently Dachau. Motorcycles remained as a side-line and automobile manufacture ceased altogether.
BMW’s factories were heavily bombed during the war and its remaining West German facilities were banned from producing motor vehicles or aircraft after the war. Again, the company survived by making pots, pans, and bicycles. In 1948, BMW restarted motorcycle production. BMW resumed car production in Bavaria in 1952 with the BMW 501 luxury saloon. The range of cars was expanded in 1955, through the production of the cheaper Isetta microcar under licence. Slow sales of luxury cars and small profit margins from microcars meant BMW was in serious financial trouble and in 1959 the company was nearly taken over by rival Daimler-Benz.
A large investment in BMW by Herbert Quandt and Harald Quandt resulted in the company surviving as a separate entity. The Quandts’ father, Günther Quandt, was a well-known German industrialist. Quandt joined the Nazi party in 1933 and made a fortune arming the German Wehrmacht, manufacturing weapons and batteries.[6][better source needed] Many of his enterprises were appropriated from Jewish owners under duress with minimal compensation. At least three of his enterprises made extensive use of slave laborers, as many as 50,000 in all.[7][better source needed] One of his battery factories had its own on-site concentration camp, complete with gallows. Life expectancy for laborers was six months.[8] While Quandt and BMW were not directly connected during the war, funds amassed in the Nazi era by his father allowed Herbert Quandt to buy BMW.[5]
The BMW 700 was successful and assisted in the company’s recovery.
The 1962 introduction of the BMW New Class compact sedans was the beginning of BMW’s reputation as a leading manufacturer of sport-oriented cars. Throughout the 1960s, BMW expanded its range by adding coupe and luxury sedan models. The BMW 5 Series mid-size sedan range was introduced in 1972, followed by the BMW 3 Series compact sedans in 1975, the BMW 6 Series luxury coupes in 1976 and the BMW 7 Series large luxury sedans in 1978.
The BMW M division released its first road car, a mid-engine supercar, in 1978. This was followed by the BMW M5 in 1984 and the BMW M3 in 1986. Also in 1986, BMW introduced its first V12 engine in the 750i luxury sedan.
The company purchased the Rover Group in 1994, however the takeover was not successful and was causing BMW large financial losses. In 2000, BMW sold off most of the Rover brands, retaining only the Mini brand.
In 1998, BMW also acquired the rights to the Rolls-Royce brand from Vickers Plc.
The 1995 BMW Z3 expanded the line-up to include a mass-production two-seat roadster and the 1999 BMW X5 was the company’s entry into the SUV market.
The first modern mass-produced turbocharged petrol engine was introduced in 2006, (from 1973 to 1975, BMW built 1672 units of a turbocharged M10 engine for the BMW 2002 turbo),[9] with most engines switching over to turbocharging over the 2010s. The first hybrid BMW was the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7, and BMW’s first mass-production electric car was the BMW i3 city car, which was released in 2013, (from 1968 to 1972, BMW built two battery-electric BMW 1602 Elektro saloons for the 1972 Olympic Games).[10] After many years of establishing a reputation for sporting rear-wheel drive cars, BMW’s first front-wheel drive car was the 2014 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
In January 2021, BMW announced that its sales in 2020 fell by 8.4% due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions. However, in the fourth quarter of 2020, BMW witnessed a rise of 3.2% of its customers’ demands.[11]
On 18 January 2022, BMW announced a new limited edition M760Li xDrive simply called «The Final V12,»[12] the last BMW series production vehicle to be fitted with a V-12 engine.[12]
BMW and Toyota aim to sell jointly-developed hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as soon as 2025.[13][14]
Branding
BMW badge on a 1931 Dixi
Company name
BMW is an abbreviation for Bayerische Motoren Werke (German pronunciation: [ˈbaɪ̯ʁɪʃə mɔˈtʰɔʁn̩ ˈvɛɐ̯kə]). This name is grammatically incorrect (in German, compound words must not contain spaces), which is why the name’s grammatically correct form Bayerische Motorenwerke (German pronunciation: [ˈbaɪ̯ʁɪʃə mɔˈtʰɔʁn̩vɛɐ̯kə] (listen)) has been used in several publications and advertisements in the past.[15][16] Bayerische Motorenwerke translates into English as Bavarian Motor Works.[17] The suffix AG, short for Aktiengesellschaft, signifies an incorporated entity which is owned by shareholders, thus akin to «Inc.» (US) or PLC, «Public Limited Company» (UK).
The terms Beemer, Bimmer and Bee-em are sometimes used as slang for BMW in the English language[18][19] and are sometimes used interchangeably for cars and motorcycles.[20][21][22]
Logo
The circular blue and white BMW logo or roundel evolved from the circular Rapp Motorenwerke company logo, which featured a black ring bearing the company name surrounding the company logo,[23] on a plinth a horse’s head couped.[24]
BMW retained Rapp’s black ring inscribed with the company name, but adopted as the central element a circular escutcheon bearing a quasi-heraldic reference to the coat of arms (and flag) of the Free State of Bavaria (as the state of their origin was named after 1918), being the arms of the House of Wittelsbach, Dukes and Kings of Bavaria.[23] However, as the local law regarding trademarks forbade the use of state coats of arms or other symbols of sovereignty on commercial logos, the design was sufficiently differentiated to comply, but retained the tinctures azure (blue) and argent (white).[23][25][26]
The current iteration of the logo was introduced in 2020,[27] removing 3D effects that had been used in renderings of the logo, and also removing the black outline encircling the rondel. The logo will be used on BMW’s branding but will not be used on vehicles.[28][29]
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Logo used in vehicles
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The logo on a BMW car
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Logo used for publicity purposes since March 2020
The origin of the logo as a portrayal of the movement of an aircraft propeller, the BMW logo with the white blades seeming to cut through a blue sky, is a myth which sprang from a 1929 BMW advertisement depicting the BMW emblem overlaid on a rotating propeller, with the quarters defined by strobe-light effect, a promotion of an aircraft engine then being built by BMW under license from Pratt & Whitney.[23]
For a long time, BMW made little effort to correct the myth that the BMW badge is a propeller
— Fred Jakobs, Archive Director, BMW Group Classic, [23]
It is well established that this propeller portrayal was first used in a BMW advertisement in 1929 – twelve years after the logo was created – so this is not the true origin of the logo.[30]
Slogan
The slogan ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’ was first used in North America in 1974.[31][32] In 2010, this long-lived campaign was mostly supplanted by a campaign intended to make the brand more approachable and to better appeal to women, ‘Joy’. By 2012 BMW had returned to ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’.[33]
Finances
For the fiscal year 2017, BMW reported earnings of EUR 8.620 billion, with an annual revenue of EUR 98.678 billion, an increase of 4.8% over the previous fiscal cycle.[34] BMW’s shares traded at over €77 per share, and its market capitalization was valued at US 55.3 billion in November 2018.[35]
Year | Revenue in bn. EUR€ |
Net income in bn. EUR€ |
Total Assets in bn. EUR€ |
Employees |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | 68.821 | 4.881 | 123.429 | 100,306 |
2012 | 76.848 | 5.096 | 131.850 | 105,876 |
2013 | 76.058 | 5.314 | 138.368 | 110,351 |
2014 | 80.401 | 5.798 | 154.803 | 116,324 |
2015 | 92.175 | 6.369 | 172.174 | 122,244 |
2016 | 94.163 | 6.863 | 188.535 | 124,729 |
2017 | 98.678 | 8.620 | 193.483 | 129,932 |
2018 | 97.480 | 7.117 | 208.980 | 134,682 |
2019 | 104.210 | 4.915 | 241.663 | 133,778 |
2020 | 98.990 | 3.775 | 216.658 | 120,726 |
2021 | 111.239 | 12.382 | 229.527 | 118,909 |
Motorcycles
BMW began production of motorcycle engines and then motorcycles after World War I.[36] Its motorcycle brand is now known as BMW Motorrad. Their first successful motorcycle after the failed Helios and Flink, was the «R32» in 1923, though production originally began in 1921.[37] This had a «boxer» twin engine, in which a cylinder projects into the air-flow from each side of the machine. Apart from their single-cylinder models (basically to the same pattern), all their motorcycles used this distinctive layout until the early 1980s. Many BMW’s are still produced in this layout, which is designated the R Series.
The entire BMW Motorcycle production has, since 1969, been located at the company’s Berlin-Spandau factory.
During the Second World War, BMW produced the BMW R75 motorcycle with a motor-driven sidecar attached, combined with a lockable differential, this made the vehicle very capable off-road.[38][39]
In 1982, came the K Series, shaft drive but water-cooled and with either three or four cylinders mounted in a straight line from front to back. Shortly after, BMW also started making the chain-driven F and G series with single and parallel twin Rotax engines.
In the early 1990s, BMW updated the airhead Boxer engine which became known as the oilhead. In 2002, the oilhead engine had two spark plugs per cylinder. In 2004 it added a built-in balance shaft, an increased capacity to 1,170 cc (71 cu in) and enhanced performance to 75 kW (101 hp) for the R1200GS, compared to 63 kW (84 hp) of the previous R1150GS. More powerful variants of the oilhead engines are available in the R1100S and R1200S, producing 73 and 91 kW (98 and 122 hp), respectively.
In 2004, BMW introduced the new K1200S Sports Bike which marked a departure for BMW. It had an engine producing 125 kW (168 hp), derived from the company’s work with the Williams F1 team, and is lighter than previous K models. Innovations include electronically adjustable front and rear suspension, and a Hossack-type front fork that BMW calls Duolever.
BMW introduced anti-lock brakes on production motorcycles starting in the late 1980s. The generation of anti-lock brakes available on the 2006 and later BMW motorcycles paved the way for the introduction of electronic stability control, or anti-skid technology later in the 2007 model year.
BMW has been an innovator in motorcycle suspension design, taking up telescopic front suspension long before most other manufacturers. Then they switched to an Earles fork, front suspension by swinging fork (1955 to 1969). Most modern BMWs are truly rear swingarm, single sided at the back (compare with the regular swinging fork usually, and wrongly, called swinging arm).
Some BMWs started using yet another trademark front suspension design, the Telelever, in the early 1990s. Like the Earles fork, the Telelever significantly reduces dive under braking.
BMW Group, on 31 January 2013, announced that Pierer Industrie AG has bought Husqvarna Motorcycles for an undisclosed amount, which will not be revealed by either party in the future. The company is headed by Stephan Pierer (CEO of KTM). Pierer Industrie AG is 51% owner of KTM and 100% owner of Husqvarna.
In September 2018, BMW unveiled a new self-driving motorcycle with BMW Motorrad with a goal of using the technology to help improve road safety.[40] The design of the bike was inspired by the company’s BMW R1200 GS model.[41]
Automobiles
Current models
The current model lines of BMW cars are:
- 1 Series five-door hatchbacks (model code F40). A four-door sedan variant (model code F52) is also sold in China and Mexico.[42]
- 2 Series two-door coupes (model code G42), «Active Tourer» five-seat MPVs (U06) and four-door «Gran Coupe» fastback sedans (model code F44).
- 3 Series four-door sedans (model code G20) and five-door station wagons (G21).
- 4 Series two-door coupes (model code G22), two-door convertibles (model code G23) and five-door «Gran Coupe» fastbacks (model code G26).
- 5 Series four-door sedans (model code G30) and five-door station wagons (G31). A long-wheelbase sedan variant (G38) is also sold in China.
- 6 Series «Gran Turismo» five-door fastbacks (model code G32)
- 7 Series four-door sedans (model code G70).
- 8 Series two-door coupes (model code G14), two-door convertibles (G15) and «Gran Coupe» four-door fastback sedans (G16).
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2 Series Gran Coupé (F44)
The current model lines of the X Series SUVs and crossovers are:
- X1 (U11)
- X2 (F39)
- X3 (G01)
- X4 (G02)
- X5 (G05)
- X6 (G06)
- X7 (G07)
The current model line of the Z Series two-door roadsters is the Z4 (model code G29).
i models
All-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles are sold under the BMW i sub-brand. The current model range consists of:
- i4 D-segment (compact) liftback, powered by one or two electric motors
- i7 F-segment (full-size) sedan, powered by two electric motors
- iX1 C-segment (subcompact) SUV, powered by two electric motors
- iX3 D-segment (compact) SUV, powered by one electric motor
- iX E-segment (mid-size) SUV, powered by two electric motors
In addition, several plug-in hybrid models built on existing platforms have been marketed as iPerformance models. Examples include the 225xe using a 1.5 L three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, the 330e/530e using a 2.0 L four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, and the 740e using a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor.[43] Also, crossover and SUV plug-in hybrid models have been released using i technology: X1 xDrive25e, X2 xDrive25e, X3 xDrive30e, and X5 xDrive40e.[44]
M models
The BMW M GmbH subsidiary (called BMW Motorsport GmbH until 1993) started making high-performance versions of various BMW models in 1978.
As of September 2022, the M lineup is:[45]
- M3 four-door sedan and five-door station wagon
- M4 two-door coupe/convertible
- M5 four-door sedan
- M8 two-door coupe/convertible and four-door sedan
- X3 M compact SUV[46]
- X4 M compact coupe SUV[46]
- X5 M mid-size SUV[47]
- X6 M mid-size coupe SUV[48]
The letter «M» is also often used in the marketing of BMW’s regular models, for example the F20 M140i model, the G11 M760Li model and various optional extras called «M Sport», «M Performance» or similar.
Naming convention for models
Motorsport
BMW has a long history of motorsport activities, including:
- Touring cars, such as DTM, WTCC, ETCC and BTCC
- Formula One
- Endurance racing, such as 24 Hours Nürburgring, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona and Spa 24 Hours
- Isle of Man TT
- Dakar Rally
- American Le Mans Series
- IMSA SportsCar Championship
- Formula BMW – a junior racing Formula category.
- Formula Two
- Formula E
Involvement in the arts
Art Cars
In 1975, sculptor Alexander Calder was commissioned to paint the BMW 3.0 CSL racing car driven by Hervé Poulain at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which became the first in the series of BMW Art Cars. Since Calder’s work of art, many other renowned artists throughout the world have created BMW Art Cars, including David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, Frank Stella, and Andy Warhol.[49] To date, a total of 19 BMW Art Cars, based on both racing and regular production vehicles, have been created.
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1975 3.0 CSL Art Car by Alexander Calder
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1979 M1 Art Car by Andy Warhol
Architecture
The global BMW Headquarters in Munich represents the cylinder head of a 4-cylinder engine. It was designed by Karl Schwanzer and was completed in 1972. The building has become a European icon[49] and was declared a protected historic building in 1999. The main tower consists of four vertical cylinders standing next to and across from each other. Each cylinder is divided horizontally in its center by a mold in the facade. Notably, these cylinders do not stand on the ground; they are suspended on a central support tower.
BMW Museum is a futuristic cauldron-shaped building, which was also designed by Karl Schwanzer and opened in 1972.[50] The interior has a spiral theme and the roof is a 40-metre diameter BMW logo.
BMW Welt, the company’s exhibition space in Munich, was designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au and opened in 2007. It includes a showroom and lifting platforms where a customer’s new car is theatrically unveiled to the customer.[51]
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BMW Museum
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BMW Welt
Film
In 2001 and 2002, BMW produced a series of 8 short films called The Hire, which had plots based around BMW models being driven to extremes by Clive Owen.[52] The directors for The Hire included Guy Ritchie, John Woo, John Frankenheimer and Ang Lee. In 2016, a ninth film in the series was released.
The 2006 «BMW Performance Series» was a marketing event geared to attract black car buyers. It consisted of seven concerts by jazz musician Mike Phillips, and screenings of films by black filmmakers.[53][54]
Visual arts
BMW was the principal sponsor of the 1998 The Art of the Motorcycle exhibition at various Guggenheim museums, though the financial relationship between BMW and the Guggenheim Foundation was criticised in many quarters.[55][56]
In 2012, BMW began sponsoring Independent Collectors production of the BMW Art Guide, which is the first global guide to private and publicly accessible collections of contemporary art worldwide.[57] The fourth edition, released in 2016, features 256 collections from 43 countries.[58]
Production and sales
BMW produces complete automobiles in the following countries:
- Germany: Munich, Dingolfing, Regensburg and Leipzig
- Austria: Graz[59]
- United States: Spartanburg[60]
- Mexico: San Luis Potosí[61]
- South Africa: Rosslyn
- India: Chennai
- China: Shenyang
- Brazil: Araquari
BMW also has local assembly operation using complete knock-down (CKD) components in Thailand, Russia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and India.[62]
In the UK, BMW has a Mini factory near Oxford, plants in Swindon and Hams Hall, and Rolls-Royce vehicle assembly at Goodwood. In 2020, these facilities were shut down for the period from March 23 to April 17 due to the coronavirus outbreak.[63]
The BMW group (including Mini and Rolls-Royce) produced 1,366,838 automobiles in 2006 and then 1,481,253 automobiles in 2010.[64][65] BMW Motorcycles are being produced at the company’s Berlin factory, which earlier had produced aircraft engines for Siemens.
By 2011, about 56% of BMW-brand vehicles produced are powered by petrol engines and the remaining 44% are powered by diesel engines. Of those petrol vehicles, about 27% are four-cylinder models and about nine percent are eight-cylinder models.[66] On average, 9,000 vehicles per day exit BMW plants, and 63% are transported by rail.[67]
Annual production since 2005, according to BMW’s annual reports:[65]
Year | BMW | MINI | Rolls-Royce | Motorcycle* |
---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | 1,122,308 | 200,119 | 692 | 92,013 |
2006 | 1,179,317 | 186,674 | 847 | 103,759 |
2007 | 1,302,774 | 237,700 | 1,029 | 104,396 |
2008 | 1,203,482 | 235,019 | 1,417 | 118,452 |
2009 | 1,043,829 | 213,670 | 918 | 93,243 |
2010 | 1,236,989 | 241,043 | 3,221 | 112,271 |
2011 | 1,440,315 | 294,120 | 3,725 | 110,360 |
2012 | 1,547,057 | 311,490 | 3,279 | 113,811 |
2013 | 1,699,835 | 303,177 | 3,354 | 110,127 |
2014 | 1,838,268 | 322,803 | 4,495 | 133,615 |
2015 | 1,933,647 | 342,008 | 3,848 | 151,004 |
2016 | 2,002,997 | 352,580 | 4,179 | 145,555 |
2017 | 2,123,947 | 378,486 | 3,308 | 185,682 |
2018 | 2,168,496 | 368,685 | 4,353 | 162,687 |
2019 | 2,205,841 | 352,729 | 5,455 | 187,116 |
2020 | 1,980,740 | 271,121 | 3,776 | 168,104 |
2021 | 2,166,644 | 288,713 | 5,912 | 187,500 |
Annual sales since 2005, according to BMW’s annual reports:
Year | BMW | MINI | Rolls-Royce | Motorcycle* |
---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | 1,126,768 | 200,428 | 797 | 97,474 |
2006 | 1,185,089 | 188,077 | 805 | 100,064 |
2007 | 1,276,793 | 222,875 | 1,010 | 102,467 |
2008 | 1,202,239 | 232,425 | 1,212 | 115,196 |
2009 | 1,068,770 | 216,538 | 1,002 | 100,358 |
2010 | 1,224,280 | 234,175 | 2,711 | 110,113 |
2011 | 1,380,384 | 285,060 | 3,538 | 113,572 |
2012 | 1,540,085 | 301,525 | 3,575 | 117,109 |
2013 | 1,655,138 | 305,030 | 3,630 | 115,215** |
2014 | 1,811,719 | 302,183 | 4,063 | 123,495 |
2015 | 1,905,234 | 338,466 | 3,785 | 136,963 |
2016 | 2,003,359 | 360,233 | 4,011 | 145,032 |
2017 | 2,088,283 | 371,881 | 3,362 | 164,153 |
2018 | 2,114,963 | 364,135 | 4,194 | 165,566 |
2019 | 2,185,793 | 347,474 | 5,100 | 175,162 |
2020 | 2,028,841 | 292,582 | 3,756 | 169,272 |
2021 | 2,213,379 | 302,138 | 5,586 | 194,261 |
* In 2008–2012, motorcycle productions figures include Husqvarna models.
** Excluding Husqvarna, sales volume up to 2013: 59,776 units.
Recalls
In November 2016, BMW recalled 136,000 2007–2012 model year U.S. cars for fuel pump wiring problems possibly resulting in fuel leak and engine stalling or restarting issues.[68]
In 2018, BMW recalled 106,000 diesel vehicles in South Korea with a defective exhaust gas recirculation module, which caused 39 engine fires. The recall was then expanded to 324,000 more cars in Europe.[69] Following the recall in South Korea, the government banned cars which had not yet been inspected from driving on public roads.[70] This affected up to 25% of the recalled cars, where the owners had been notified but the cars had not yet been inspected. BMW is reported to have been aware since 2016 that more than 4% of the affected cars in South Korea had experienced failures in the EGR coolers,[71] leading to approximately 20 owners suing the company.[72]
Industry collaboration
BMW has collaborated with other car manufacturers on the following occasions:
- McLaren Automotive: BMW designed and produced the V12 engine that powered the McLaren F1.[73][74]
- Groupe PSA (predecessor to Stellantis): Joint production of four-cylinder petrol engines, beginning in 2004.[75]
- Daimler Benz: Joint venture to produce the hybrid drivetrain components used in the ActiveHybrid 7.[76][77] Development of automated driving technology.[78]
- Toyota: Three-part agreement in 2013 to jointly develop fuel cell technology, develop a joint platform for a sports car (for the 2018 BMW Z4 (G29) and Toyota Supra) and research lithium-air batteries.[79][80][81]
- Audi and Mercedes: Joint purchase of Nokia’s Here WeGo (formerly Here Maps) in 2015.[82]
- In 2018, Horizn Studios collaborated with BMW to launch special luggage editions.[83]
BMW sponsor car at the London 2012 Olympics
BMW made a six-year sponsorship deal with the United States Olympic Committee in July 2010.[84][85]
In golf, BMW has sponsored various events,[86] including the PGA Championship since 2007,[87][88] the Italian Open from 2009 to 2012, the BMW Masters in China from 2012 to 2015[89][90] and the BMW International Open in Munich since 1989.[91]
In rugby, BMW sponsored the South Africa national rugby union team from 2011 to 2015.[92][93]
Environmental record
BMW is a charter member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Environmental Achievement Track, which recognizes companies for their environmental stewardship and performance.[94] It is also a member of the South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program.[95]
Since 1999, BMW has been named the world’s most sustainable automotive company every year by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.[96] The BMW Group is one of three automotive companies to be featured every year in the index.[97] In 2001, the BMW Group committed itself to the United Nations Environment Programme, the UN Global Compact and the Cleaner Production Declaration. It was also the first company in the automotive industry to appoint an environmental officer, in 1973.[98] BMW is a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.[99]
In 2012, BMW was the highest automotive company in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Global 500 list, with a score of 99 out of 100.[100][101] The BMW Group was rated the most sustainable DAX 30 company by Sustainalytics in 2012.[102]
To reduce vehicle emissions, BMW is improving the efficiency of existing fossil-fuel powered models, while researching electric power, hybrid power and hydrogen for future models.[103]
During the first quarter of 2018, BMW sold 26,858 Electrified Vehicles (EVs, PHEVs, & Hybrids).[104]
Car-sharing services
DriveNow was a joint-venture between BMW and Sixt that operated from in Europe from 2011 until 2019. By December 2012,[105] DriveNow operated over 1,000 vehicles, in five cities and with approximately 60,000 customers.[106]
In 2012, the BMW-owned subsidiary Alphabet began a corporate car-sharing service in Europe called AlphaCity.[107][108]
The ReachNow car-sharing service was launched in Seattle in April 2016.[109] ReachNow currently operates in Seattle, Portland and Brooklyn.
In 2018, BMW announced the launching of a pilot car subscription service for the United States called Access by BMW (its first one for the country), in Nashville, Tennessee. In January 2021, the company said that Access by BMW was «suspended».[110]
Overseas subsidiaries
Production facilities
China
The first BMW production facility in China was opened in 2004, as a result of a joint venture between BMW and Brilliance Auto.[111][112] The plant was opened in the Shenyang industrial area and produces 3 Series and 5 Series models for the Chinese market.[113][114] In 2012, a second factory was opened in Shenyang.[115]
Between January and November 2014, BMW sold 415,200 vehicles in China, through a network of over 440 BMW stores and 100 Mini stores.[116]
On 7 October 2021, BMW announced to be moving the production of the X5 from the United States to China.[117]
In February 2022, BMW invested an additional $4.2 billion into the Chinese joint venture, increasing its stake from 50% to 75%, becoming one of the first foreign automakers holding majority stake in China.[118]
In June 2022, BMW announced a new plant project in Lydia, Shenyang designed for electric vehicles. It will become BMW Group’s largest single project in China, costing 15 billion yuan (2.13 billion euros).[119] The investment amount was raised by a further 10 billion yuan (US$1.4 billion) in November 2022, following German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to China.[120]
Hungary
On 31 July 2018, BMW announced to build 1 billion euro car factory in Hungary. The plant, to be built near Debrecen, will have a production capacity of 150,000 cars a year.[121]
Mexico
In July 2014, BMW announced it was establishing a plant in Mexico, in the city and state of San Luis Potosi involving an investment of $1 billion. The plant will employ 1,500 people, and produce 150,000 cars annually.[122]
Netherlands
The Mini Convertible, Mini Countryman and BMW X1 are currently produced in the Netherlands at the VDL Nedcar factory in Born.[123][124] Long-term orders for the Mini Countryman ended in 2020.[125]
South Africa
BMWs have been assembled in South Africa since 1968,[126] when Praetor Monteerders’ plant was opened in Rosslyn, near Pretoria. BMW initially bought shares in the company, before fully acquiring it in 1975; in so doing, the company became BMW South Africa, the first wholly owned subsidiary of BMW to be established outside Germany. Unlike United States manufacturers, such as Ford and GM, which divested from the country in the 1980s, BMW retained full ownership of its operations in South Africa.
Following the end of apartheid in 1994, and the lowering of import tariffs, BMW South Africa ended local production of the 5 Series and 7 Series, in order to concentrate on production of the 3 Series for the export market. South African–built BMWs are now exported to right hand drive markets including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 1997, BMW South Africa has produced vehicles in left-hand drive for export to Taiwan, the United States and Iran, as well as South America.
Three unique models that BMW Motorsport created for the South African market were the E23 M745i (1983), which used the M88 engine from the BMW M1, the BMW 333i (1986), which added a six-cylinder 3.2-litre M30 engine to the E30,[127] and the E30 BMW 325is (1989) which was powered by an Alpina-derived 2.7-litre engine.
The plant code (position 11 in the VIN) for South African built models is «N».[128]
United States
BMW cars have been officially sold in the United States since 1956[129] and manufactured in the United States since 1994.[130] The first BMW dealership in the United States opened in 1975.[131] In 2016, BMW was the twelfth highest selling brand in the United States.[132]
The manufacturing plant in Greer, South Carolina has the highest production of the BMW plants worldwide,[133] currently producing approximately 1,500 vehicles per day.[134] The models produced at the Spartanburg plant are the X3, X4, X6 and X7 SUV models. The X5 model’s production was announced to be moving to China in December 2021.[117]
In addition to the South Carolina manufacturing facility, BMW’s North American companies include sales, marketing, design, and financial services operations in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Latin America.
Complete knock-down assembly facilities
Brazil
On 9 October 2014, BMW’s new complete knock-down (CKD) assembly plant in Araquari, assembled its first car— an F30 3 Series.[135][136]
The cars assembled at Araquari are the F20 1 Series, F30 3 Series, F48 X1, F25 X3 and Mini Countryman.[137]
Egypt
Bavarian Auto Group became the importer of the BMW and Mini brands in 2003.
Since 2005, the 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X1 and X3 models sold in Egypt are assembled from complete knock-down components at the BMW plant in 6th of October City.[137]
India
BMW India was established in 2006 as a sales subsidiary with a head office located in Gurugram.
A BMW complete knock-down assembly plant was opened in Chennai in 2007, assembling Indian-market 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X1, X3, X5, Mini Countryman and motorcycle models.[137][138] The 20 Million Euro plant aims to produce 1,700 cars per year.
Russia
Russian-market 3 Series and 5 Series cars are assembled from complete knock-down components in Kaliningrad beginning in 1999.[139] In March 2022, BMW left Russian market and stopped importing and producing cars in Russia due to International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War.[140]
Malaysia
BMW’s complete knock-down (CKD) assembly plant in Kedah. Assembled Malaysia-market 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6 and Mini Countryman since 2008.[141]
Vehicle importers
Canada
BMW’s first dealership in Canada, located in Ottawa, was opened in 1969.[142] In 1986, BMW established a head office in Canada.[143]
BMW sold 28,149 vehicles in Canada in 2008.[144]
Japan
BMW Japan Corp, a wholly owned subsidiary, imports and distributes BMW vehicles in Japan.[145]
Philippines
BMW Philippines, an owned subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation, is the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines.[146]
BMW sold 920 vehicles in the Philippines in 2019.[147]
South Korea
BMW Korea imports BMW vehicles in South Korea with more than fifty service centers to fully accomplish to South Korean customers. Also, BMW Korea has its own driving center in Incheon.[148]
See also
- BMW Group Classic
- List of BMW engines
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Further reading
- Grunert, Manfred; Triebe, Florian (2006). Das Unternehmen BMW seit 1916 [The BMW Company since 1916] (in German). Königswinter, Germany: Heel Verlag. ISBN 3932169468.
- Hodges, David (2000). BMW. Suttons Photographic History of Transport series. Stroud, Gloucestershire, England: Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0750921447.
- Kiley, David (2004). Driven: Inside BMW, the Most Admired Car Company in the World. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-471-26920-5.
- Lewandowski, Jürgen (2006). BMW: Typen und Geschichte [BMW: Types and History] (in German) (3rd ed.). Bielefeld: Delius Klasing. ISBN 3768814203.
- Lewin, Tony (2022). BMW Century (2nd ed.). Beverly, MA, USA: Motorbooks. ISBN 9780760373774.
- Noakes, Andrew (2010). The Ultimate History of BMW: From the innovative 328 sports car and the Isetta bubble car to the 5 Series Gran Turismo. Bath: Parragon Books. ISBN 9781407549781.
- Schrader, Halwart (2011). BMW: Passion · Power · Perfektion [BMW: Passion · Power · Perfection] (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 9783613033788.
- ———————— (2016). BMW: Von 1981 bis heute [BMW: From 1981 to today]. Typenkompass series (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 9783613038721.
- Werner, Constanze (2006). Kriegswirtschaft und Zwangsarbeit bei BMW [War Economy and Forced Labour at BMW] (in German). München: Oldenbourg. ISBN 3486577921.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to BMW.
- Official website
This article is about the German motor vehicle manufacturer. For other uses, see BMW (disambiguation).
Trading logo since 2020 |
|
BMW Headquarters in Munich, Germany |
|
Type | Public (Aktiengesellschaft) |
---|---|
Traded as |
FWB: BMW DAX Component |
Industry | Automotive |
Predecessors | Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik Rapp Motorenwerke Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach |
Founded | 7 March 1916; 106 years ago (as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke) |
Founders |
|
Headquarters |
Munich , Germany |
Area served |
Worldwide |
Key people |
Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board |
Products |
|
Production output |
|
Brands |
|
Services | Financial services |
Revenue | €111.239 billion (2021)[1] |
Operating income |
€16.060 billion (2021)[1] |
Net income |
€12.463 billion (2021)[1] |
Total assets | €229.527 billion (2021)[1] |
Total equity | €75.132 billion (2021)[1] |
Owners | Public float (50%); Stefan Quandt (29%), Susanne Klatten (21%) |
Number of employees |
118,909 (2021)[1] |
Website | bmw.com bmwgroup.com |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, abbreviated as BMW (German pronunciation: [ˌbeːʔɛmˈveː] (listen)), is a German multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Bavaria. The corporation was founded in 1916 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines, which it produced from 1917 until 1918 and again from 1933 to 1945.
Automobiles are marketed under the brands BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce, and motorcycles are marketed under the brand BMW Motorrad. In 2017, BMW was the world’s fourteenth-largest producer of motor vehicles, with 2,279,503 vehicles produced.[2] The company has significant motor-sport history, especially in touring cars, sports cars, and the Isle of Man TT.
BMW is headquartered in Munich and produces motor vehicles in Germany, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Quandt family is a long-term shareholder of the company (with the remaining shares owned by public float), following investments by the brothers Herbert and Harald Quandt in 1959 which saved the company from bankruptcy.
History
Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik was founded in 1910 by Gustav Otto in Bavaria. The firm was reorganized on 7 March 1916 into Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG. This company was then renamed to Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) in 1922. However the name BMW dates back to 1913, when the original company to use the name was founded by Karl Rapp (initially as Rapp Motorenwerke GmbH). The name and Rapp Motorenwerke’s engine-production assets were transferred to Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in 1922, who adopted the name the same year.[3] BMW’s first product was a straight-six aircraft engine called the BMW IIIa, designed in the spring of 1917 by engineer Max Friz. Following the end of World War I, BMW remained in business by producing motorcycle engines, farm equipment, household items and railway brakes. The company produced its first motorcycle, the BMW R 32 in 1923.
BMW became an automobile manufacturer in 1928 when it purchased Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach, which, at the time, built Austin Sevens under licence under the Dixi marque.[4] The first car sold as a BMW was a rebadged Dixi called the BMW 3/15, following BMW’s acquisition of the car manufacturer Automobilwerk Eisenach. Throughout the 1930s, BMW expanded its range into sports cars and larger luxury cars.
Aircraft engines, motorcycles, and automobiles would be BMW’s main products until World War II. During the war, BMW concentrated on aircraft engine production using as many as 40,000 slave laborers.[5] These consisted primarily of prisoners from concentration camps, most prominently Dachau. Motorcycles remained as a side-line and automobile manufacture ceased altogether.
BMW’s factories were heavily bombed during the war and its remaining West German facilities were banned from producing motor vehicles or aircraft after the war. Again, the company survived by making pots, pans, and bicycles. In 1948, BMW restarted motorcycle production. BMW resumed car production in Bavaria in 1952 with the BMW 501 luxury saloon. The range of cars was expanded in 1955, through the production of the cheaper Isetta microcar under licence. Slow sales of luxury cars and small profit margins from microcars meant BMW was in serious financial trouble and in 1959 the company was nearly taken over by rival Daimler-Benz.
A large investment in BMW by Herbert Quandt and Harald Quandt resulted in the company surviving as a separate entity. The Quandts’ father, Günther Quandt, was a well-known German industrialist. Quandt joined the Nazi party in 1933 and made a fortune arming the German Wehrmacht, manufacturing weapons and batteries.[6][better source needed] Many of his enterprises were appropriated from Jewish owners under duress with minimal compensation. At least three of his enterprises made extensive use of slave laborers, as many as 50,000 in all.[7][better source needed] One of his battery factories had its own on-site concentration camp, complete with gallows. Life expectancy for laborers was six months.[8] While Quandt and BMW were not directly connected during the war, funds amassed in the Nazi era by his father allowed Herbert Quandt to buy BMW.[5]
The BMW 700 was successful and assisted in the company’s recovery.
The 1962 introduction of the BMW New Class compact sedans was the beginning of BMW’s reputation as a leading manufacturer of sport-oriented cars. Throughout the 1960s, BMW expanded its range by adding coupe and luxury sedan models. The BMW 5 Series mid-size sedan range was introduced in 1972, followed by the BMW 3 Series compact sedans in 1975, the BMW 6 Series luxury coupes in 1976 and the BMW 7 Series large luxury sedans in 1978.
The BMW M division released its first road car, a mid-engine supercar, in 1978. This was followed by the BMW M5 in 1984 and the BMW M3 in 1986. Also in 1986, BMW introduced its first V12 engine in the 750i luxury sedan.
The company purchased the Rover Group in 1994, however the takeover was not successful and was causing BMW large financial losses. In 2000, BMW sold off most of the Rover brands, retaining only the Mini brand.
In 1998, BMW also acquired the rights to the Rolls-Royce brand from Vickers Plc.
The 1995 BMW Z3 expanded the line-up to include a mass-production two-seat roadster and the 1999 BMW X5 was the company’s entry into the SUV market.
The first modern mass-produced turbocharged petrol engine was introduced in 2006, (from 1973 to 1975, BMW built 1672 units of a turbocharged M10 engine for the BMW 2002 turbo),[9] with most engines switching over to turbocharging over the 2010s. The first hybrid BMW was the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7, and BMW’s first mass-production electric car was the BMW i3 city car, which was released in 2013, (from 1968 to 1972, BMW built two battery-electric BMW 1602 Elektro saloons for the 1972 Olympic Games).[10] After many years of establishing a reputation for sporting rear-wheel drive cars, BMW’s first front-wheel drive car was the 2014 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
In January 2021, BMW announced that its sales in 2020 fell by 8.4% due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions. However, in the fourth quarter of 2020, BMW witnessed a rise of 3.2% of its customers’ demands.[11]
On 18 January 2022, BMW announced a new limited edition M760Li xDrive simply called «The Final V12,»[12] the last BMW series production vehicle to be fitted with a V-12 engine.[12]
BMW and Toyota aim to sell jointly-developed hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as soon as 2025.[13][14]
Branding
BMW badge on a 1931 Dixi
Company name
BMW is an abbreviation for Bayerische Motoren Werke (German pronunciation: [ˈbaɪ̯ʁɪʃə mɔˈtʰɔʁn̩ ˈvɛɐ̯kə]). This name is grammatically incorrect (in German, compound words must not contain spaces), which is why the name’s grammatically correct form Bayerische Motorenwerke (German pronunciation: [ˈbaɪ̯ʁɪʃə mɔˈtʰɔʁn̩vɛɐ̯kə] (listen)) has been used in several publications and advertisements in the past.[15][16] Bayerische Motorenwerke translates into English as Bavarian Motor Works.[17] The suffix AG, short for Aktiengesellschaft, signifies an incorporated entity which is owned by shareholders, thus akin to «Inc.» (US) or PLC, «Public Limited Company» (UK).
The terms Beemer, Bimmer and Bee-em are sometimes used as slang for BMW in the English language[18][19] and are sometimes used interchangeably for cars and motorcycles.[20][21][22]
Logo
The circular blue and white BMW logo or roundel evolved from the circular Rapp Motorenwerke company logo, which featured a black ring bearing the company name surrounding the company logo,[23] on a plinth a horse’s head couped.[24]
BMW retained Rapp’s black ring inscribed with the company name, but adopted as the central element a circular escutcheon bearing a quasi-heraldic reference to the coat of arms (and flag) of the Free State of Bavaria (as the state of their origin was named after 1918), being the arms of the House of Wittelsbach, Dukes and Kings of Bavaria.[23] However, as the local law regarding trademarks forbade the use of state coats of arms or other symbols of sovereignty on commercial logos, the design was sufficiently differentiated to comply, but retained the tinctures azure (blue) and argent (white).[23][25][26]
The current iteration of the logo was introduced in 2020,[27] removing 3D effects that had been used in renderings of the logo, and also removing the black outline encircling the rondel. The logo will be used on BMW’s branding but will not be used on vehicles.[28][29]
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Logo used in vehicles
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The logo on a BMW car
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Logo used for publicity purposes since March 2020
The origin of the logo as a portrayal of the movement of an aircraft propeller, the BMW logo with the white blades seeming to cut through a blue sky, is a myth which sprang from a 1929 BMW advertisement depicting the BMW emblem overlaid on a rotating propeller, with the quarters defined by strobe-light effect, a promotion of an aircraft engine then being built by BMW under license from Pratt & Whitney.[23]
For a long time, BMW made little effort to correct the myth that the BMW badge is a propeller
— Fred Jakobs, Archive Director, BMW Group Classic, [23]
It is well established that this propeller portrayal was first used in a BMW advertisement in 1929 – twelve years after the logo was created – so this is not the true origin of the logo.[30]
Slogan
The slogan ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’ was first used in North America in 1974.[31][32] In 2010, this long-lived campaign was mostly supplanted by a campaign intended to make the brand more approachable and to better appeal to women, ‘Joy’. By 2012 BMW had returned to ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’.[33]
Finances
For the fiscal year 2017, BMW reported earnings of EUR 8.620 billion, with an annual revenue of EUR 98.678 billion, an increase of 4.8% over the previous fiscal cycle.[34] BMW’s shares traded at over €77 per share, and its market capitalization was valued at US 55.3 billion in November 2018.[35]
Year | Revenue in bn. EUR€ |
Net income in bn. EUR€ |
Total Assets in bn. EUR€ |
Employees |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | 68.821 | 4.881 | 123.429 | 100,306 |
2012 | 76.848 | 5.096 | 131.850 | 105,876 |
2013 | 76.058 | 5.314 | 138.368 | 110,351 |
2014 | 80.401 | 5.798 | 154.803 | 116,324 |
2015 | 92.175 | 6.369 | 172.174 | 122,244 |
2016 | 94.163 | 6.863 | 188.535 | 124,729 |
2017 | 98.678 | 8.620 | 193.483 | 129,932 |
2018 | 97.480 | 7.117 | 208.980 | 134,682 |
2019 | 104.210 | 4.915 | 241.663 | 133,778 |
2020 | 98.990 | 3.775 | 216.658 | 120,726 |
2021 | 111.239 | 12.382 | 229.527 | 118,909 |
Motorcycles
BMW began production of motorcycle engines and then motorcycles after World War I.[36] Its motorcycle brand is now known as BMW Motorrad. Their first successful motorcycle after the failed Helios and Flink, was the «R32» in 1923, though production originally began in 1921.[37] This had a «boxer» twin engine, in which a cylinder projects into the air-flow from each side of the machine. Apart from their single-cylinder models (basically to the same pattern), all their motorcycles used this distinctive layout until the early 1980s. Many BMW’s are still produced in this layout, which is designated the R Series.
The entire BMW Motorcycle production has, since 1969, been located at the company’s Berlin-Spandau factory.
During the Second World War, BMW produced the BMW R75 motorcycle with a motor-driven sidecar attached, combined with a lockable differential, this made the vehicle very capable off-road.[38][39]
In 1982, came the K Series, shaft drive but water-cooled and with either three or four cylinders mounted in a straight line from front to back. Shortly after, BMW also started making the chain-driven F and G series with single and parallel twin Rotax engines.
In the early 1990s, BMW updated the airhead Boxer engine which became known as the oilhead. In 2002, the oilhead engine had two spark plugs per cylinder. In 2004 it added a built-in balance shaft, an increased capacity to 1,170 cc (71 cu in) and enhanced performance to 75 kW (101 hp) for the R1200GS, compared to 63 kW (84 hp) of the previous R1150GS. More powerful variants of the oilhead engines are available in the R1100S and R1200S, producing 73 and 91 kW (98 and 122 hp), respectively.
In 2004, BMW introduced the new K1200S Sports Bike which marked a departure for BMW. It had an engine producing 125 kW (168 hp), derived from the company’s work with the Williams F1 team, and is lighter than previous K models. Innovations include electronically adjustable front and rear suspension, and a Hossack-type front fork that BMW calls Duolever.
BMW introduced anti-lock brakes on production motorcycles starting in the late 1980s. The generation of anti-lock brakes available on the 2006 and later BMW motorcycles paved the way for the introduction of electronic stability control, or anti-skid technology later in the 2007 model year.
BMW has been an innovator in motorcycle suspension design, taking up telescopic front suspension long before most other manufacturers. Then they switched to an Earles fork, front suspension by swinging fork (1955 to 1969). Most modern BMWs are truly rear swingarm, single sided at the back (compare with the regular swinging fork usually, and wrongly, called swinging arm).
Some BMWs started using yet another trademark front suspension design, the Telelever, in the early 1990s. Like the Earles fork, the Telelever significantly reduces dive under braking.
BMW Group, on 31 January 2013, announced that Pierer Industrie AG has bought Husqvarna Motorcycles for an undisclosed amount, which will not be revealed by either party in the future. The company is headed by Stephan Pierer (CEO of KTM). Pierer Industrie AG is 51% owner of KTM and 100% owner of Husqvarna.
In September 2018, BMW unveiled a new self-driving motorcycle with BMW Motorrad with a goal of using the technology to help improve road safety.[40] The design of the bike was inspired by the company’s BMW R1200 GS model.[41]
Automobiles
Current models
The current model lines of BMW cars are:
- 1 Series five-door hatchbacks (model code F40). A four-door sedan variant (model code F52) is also sold in China and Mexico.[42]
- 2 Series two-door coupes (model code G42), «Active Tourer» five-seat MPVs (U06) and four-door «Gran Coupe» fastback sedans (model code F44).
- 3 Series four-door sedans (model code G20) and five-door station wagons (G21).
- 4 Series two-door coupes (model code G22), two-door convertibles (model code G23) and five-door «Gran Coupe» fastbacks (model code G26).
- 5 Series four-door sedans (model code G30) and five-door station wagons (G31). A long-wheelbase sedan variant (G38) is also sold in China.
- 6 Series «Gran Turismo» five-door fastbacks (model code G32)
- 7 Series four-door sedans (model code G70).
- 8 Series two-door coupes (model code G14), two-door convertibles (G15) and «Gran Coupe» four-door fastback sedans (G16).
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2 Series Gran Coupé (F44)
The current model lines of the X Series SUVs and crossovers are:
- X1 (U11)
- X2 (F39)
- X3 (G01)
- X4 (G02)
- X5 (G05)
- X6 (G06)
- X7 (G07)
The current model line of the Z Series two-door roadsters is the Z4 (model code G29).
i models
All-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles are sold under the BMW i sub-brand. The current model range consists of:
- i4 D-segment (compact) liftback, powered by one or two electric motors
- i7 F-segment (full-size) sedan, powered by two electric motors
- iX1 C-segment (subcompact) SUV, powered by two electric motors
- iX3 D-segment (compact) SUV, powered by one electric motor
- iX E-segment (mid-size) SUV, powered by two electric motors
In addition, several plug-in hybrid models built on existing platforms have been marketed as iPerformance models. Examples include the 225xe using a 1.5 L three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, the 330e/530e using a 2.0 L four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, and the 740e using a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor.[43] Also, crossover and SUV plug-in hybrid models have been released using i technology: X1 xDrive25e, X2 xDrive25e, X3 xDrive30e, and X5 xDrive40e.[44]
M models
The BMW M GmbH subsidiary (called BMW Motorsport GmbH until 1993) started making high-performance versions of various BMW models in 1978.
As of September 2022, the M lineup is:[45]
- M3 four-door sedan and five-door station wagon
- M4 two-door coupe/convertible
- M5 four-door sedan
- M8 two-door coupe/convertible and four-door sedan
- X3 M compact SUV[46]
- X4 M compact coupe SUV[46]
- X5 M mid-size SUV[47]
- X6 M mid-size coupe SUV[48]
The letter «M» is also often used in the marketing of BMW’s regular models, for example the F20 M140i model, the G11 M760Li model and various optional extras called «M Sport», «M Performance» or similar.
Naming convention for models
Motorsport
BMW has a long history of motorsport activities, including:
- Touring cars, such as DTM, WTCC, ETCC and BTCC
- Formula One
- Endurance racing, such as 24 Hours Nürburgring, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona and Spa 24 Hours
- Isle of Man TT
- Dakar Rally
- American Le Mans Series
- IMSA SportsCar Championship
- Formula BMW – a junior racing Formula category.
- Formula Two
- Formula E
Involvement in the arts
Art Cars
In 1975, sculptor Alexander Calder was commissioned to paint the BMW 3.0 CSL racing car driven by Hervé Poulain at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which became the first in the series of BMW Art Cars. Since Calder’s work of art, many other renowned artists throughout the world have created BMW Art Cars, including David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, Frank Stella, and Andy Warhol.[49] To date, a total of 19 BMW Art Cars, based on both racing and regular production vehicles, have been created.
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1975 3.0 CSL Art Car by Alexander Calder
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1979 M1 Art Car by Andy Warhol
Architecture
The global BMW Headquarters in Munich represents the cylinder head of a 4-cylinder engine. It was designed by Karl Schwanzer and was completed in 1972. The building has become a European icon[49] and was declared a protected historic building in 1999. The main tower consists of four vertical cylinders standing next to and across from each other. Each cylinder is divided horizontally in its center by a mold in the facade. Notably, these cylinders do not stand on the ground; they are suspended on a central support tower.
BMW Museum is a futuristic cauldron-shaped building, which was also designed by Karl Schwanzer and opened in 1972.[50] The interior has a spiral theme and the roof is a 40-metre diameter BMW logo.
BMW Welt, the company’s exhibition space in Munich, was designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au and opened in 2007. It includes a showroom and lifting platforms where a customer’s new car is theatrically unveiled to the customer.[51]
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BMW Museum
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BMW Welt
Film
In 2001 and 2002, BMW produced a series of 8 short films called The Hire, which had plots based around BMW models being driven to extremes by Clive Owen.[52] The directors for The Hire included Guy Ritchie, John Woo, John Frankenheimer and Ang Lee. In 2016, a ninth film in the series was released.
The 2006 «BMW Performance Series» was a marketing event geared to attract black car buyers. It consisted of seven concerts by jazz musician Mike Phillips, and screenings of films by black filmmakers.[53][54]
Visual arts
BMW was the principal sponsor of the 1998 The Art of the Motorcycle exhibition at various Guggenheim museums, though the financial relationship between BMW and the Guggenheim Foundation was criticised in many quarters.[55][56]
In 2012, BMW began sponsoring Independent Collectors production of the BMW Art Guide, which is the first global guide to private and publicly accessible collections of contemporary art worldwide.[57] The fourth edition, released in 2016, features 256 collections from 43 countries.[58]
Production and sales
BMW produces complete automobiles in the following countries:
- Germany: Munich, Dingolfing, Regensburg and Leipzig
- Austria: Graz[59]
- United States: Spartanburg[60]
- Mexico: San Luis Potosí[61]
- South Africa: Rosslyn
- India: Chennai
- China: Shenyang
- Brazil: Araquari
BMW also has local assembly operation using complete knock-down (CKD) components in Thailand, Russia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and India.[62]
In the UK, BMW has a Mini factory near Oxford, plants in Swindon and Hams Hall, and Rolls-Royce vehicle assembly at Goodwood. In 2020, these facilities were shut down for the period from March 23 to April 17 due to the coronavirus outbreak.[63]
The BMW group (including Mini and Rolls-Royce) produced 1,366,838 automobiles in 2006 and then 1,481,253 automobiles in 2010.[64][65] BMW Motorcycles are being produced at the company’s Berlin factory, which earlier had produced aircraft engines for Siemens.
By 2011, about 56% of BMW-brand vehicles produced are powered by petrol engines and the remaining 44% are powered by diesel engines. Of those petrol vehicles, about 27% are four-cylinder models and about nine percent are eight-cylinder models.[66] On average, 9,000 vehicles per day exit BMW plants, and 63% are transported by rail.[67]
Annual production since 2005, according to BMW’s annual reports:[65]
Year | BMW | MINI | Rolls-Royce | Motorcycle* |
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2005 | 1,122,308 | 200,119 | 692 | 92,013 |
2006 | 1,179,317 | 186,674 | 847 | 103,759 |
2007 | 1,302,774 | 237,700 | 1,029 | 104,396 |
2008 | 1,203,482 | 235,019 | 1,417 | 118,452 |
2009 | 1,043,829 | 213,670 | 918 | 93,243 |
2010 | 1,236,989 | 241,043 | 3,221 | 112,271 |
2011 | 1,440,315 | 294,120 | 3,725 | 110,360 |
2012 | 1,547,057 | 311,490 | 3,279 | 113,811 |
2013 | 1,699,835 | 303,177 | 3,354 | 110,127 |
2014 | 1,838,268 | 322,803 | 4,495 | 133,615 |
2015 | 1,933,647 | 342,008 | 3,848 | 151,004 |
2016 | 2,002,997 | 352,580 | 4,179 | 145,555 |
2017 | 2,123,947 | 378,486 | 3,308 | 185,682 |
2018 | 2,168,496 | 368,685 | 4,353 | 162,687 |
2019 | 2,205,841 | 352,729 | 5,455 | 187,116 |
2020 | 1,980,740 | 271,121 | 3,776 | 168,104 |
2021 | 2,166,644 | 288,713 | 5,912 | 187,500 |
Annual sales since 2005, according to BMW’s annual reports:
Year | BMW | MINI | Rolls-Royce | Motorcycle* |
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2005 | 1,126,768 | 200,428 | 797 | 97,474 |
2006 | 1,185,089 | 188,077 | 805 | 100,064 |
2007 | 1,276,793 | 222,875 | 1,010 | 102,467 |
2008 | 1,202,239 | 232,425 | 1,212 | 115,196 |
2009 | 1,068,770 | 216,538 | 1,002 | 100,358 |
2010 | 1,224,280 | 234,175 | 2,711 | 110,113 |
2011 | 1,380,384 | 285,060 | 3,538 | 113,572 |
2012 | 1,540,085 | 301,525 | 3,575 | 117,109 |
2013 | 1,655,138 | 305,030 | 3,630 | 115,215** |
2014 | 1,811,719 | 302,183 | 4,063 | 123,495 |
2015 | 1,905,234 | 338,466 | 3,785 | 136,963 |
2016 | 2,003,359 | 360,233 | 4,011 | 145,032 |
2017 | 2,088,283 | 371,881 | 3,362 | 164,153 |
2018 | 2,114,963 | 364,135 | 4,194 | 165,566 |
2019 | 2,185,793 | 347,474 | 5,100 | 175,162 |
2020 | 2,028,841 | 292,582 | 3,756 | 169,272 |
2021 | 2,213,379 | 302,138 | 5,586 | 194,261 |
* In 2008–2012, motorcycle productions figures include Husqvarna models.
** Excluding Husqvarna, sales volume up to 2013: 59,776 units.
Recalls
In November 2016, BMW recalled 136,000 2007–2012 model year U.S. cars for fuel pump wiring problems possibly resulting in fuel leak and engine stalling or restarting issues.[68]
In 2018, BMW recalled 106,000 diesel vehicles in South Korea with a defective exhaust gas recirculation module, which caused 39 engine fires. The recall was then expanded to 324,000 more cars in Europe.[69] Following the recall in South Korea, the government banned cars which had not yet been inspected from driving on public roads.[70] This affected up to 25% of the recalled cars, where the owners had been notified but the cars had not yet been inspected. BMW is reported to have been aware since 2016 that more than 4% of the affected cars in South Korea had experienced failures in the EGR coolers,[71] leading to approximately 20 owners suing the company.[72]
Industry collaboration
BMW has collaborated with other car manufacturers on the following occasions:
- McLaren Automotive: BMW designed and produced the V12 engine that powered the McLaren F1.[73][74]
- Groupe PSA (predecessor to Stellantis): Joint production of four-cylinder petrol engines, beginning in 2004.[75]
- Daimler Benz: Joint venture to produce the hybrid drivetrain components used in the ActiveHybrid 7.[76][77] Development of automated driving technology.[78]
- Toyota: Three-part agreement in 2013 to jointly develop fuel cell technology, develop a joint platform for a sports car (for the 2018 BMW Z4 (G29) and Toyota Supra) and research lithium-air batteries.[79][80][81]
- Audi and Mercedes: Joint purchase of Nokia’s Here WeGo (formerly Here Maps) in 2015.[82]
- In 2018, Horizn Studios collaborated with BMW to launch special luggage editions.[83]
BMW sponsor car at the London 2012 Olympics
BMW made a six-year sponsorship deal with the United States Olympic Committee in July 2010.[84][85]
In golf, BMW has sponsored various events,[86] including the PGA Championship since 2007,[87][88] the Italian Open from 2009 to 2012, the BMW Masters in China from 2012 to 2015[89][90] and the BMW International Open in Munich since 1989.[91]
In rugby, BMW sponsored the South Africa national rugby union team from 2011 to 2015.[92][93]
Environmental record
BMW is a charter member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Environmental Achievement Track, which recognizes companies for their environmental stewardship and performance.[94] It is also a member of the South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program.[95]
Since 1999, BMW has been named the world’s most sustainable automotive company every year by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.[96] The BMW Group is one of three automotive companies to be featured every year in the index.[97] In 2001, the BMW Group committed itself to the United Nations Environment Programme, the UN Global Compact and the Cleaner Production Declaration. It was also the first company in the automotive industry to appoint an environmental officer, in 1973.[98] BMW is a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.[99]
In 2012, BMW was the highest automotive company in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Global 500 list, with a score of 99 out of 100.[100][101] The BMW Group was rated the most sustainable DAX 30 company by Sustainalytics in 2012.[102]
To reduce vehicle emissions, BMW is improving the efficiency of existing fossil-fuel powered models, while researching electric power, hybrid power and hydrogen for future models.[103]
During the first quarter of 2018, BMW sold 26,858 Electrified Vehicles (EVs, PHEVs, & Hybrids).[104]
Car-sharing services
DriveNow was a joint-venture between BMW and Sixt that operated from in Europe from 2011 until 2019. By December 2012,[105] DriveNow operated over 1,000 vehicles, in five cities and with approximately 60,000 customers.[106]
In 2012, the BMW-owned subsidiary Alphabet began a corporate car-sharing service in Europe called AlphaCity.[107][108]
The ReachNow car-sharing service was launched in Seattle in April 2016.[109] ReachNow currently operates in Seattle, Portland and Brooklyn.
In 2018, BMW announced the launching of a pilot car subscription service for the United States called Access by BMW (its first one for the country), in Nashville, Tennessee. In January 2021, the company said that Access by BMW was «suspended».[110]
Overseas subsidiaries
Production facilities
China
The first BMW production facility in China was opened in 2004, as a result of a joint venture between BMW and Brilliance Auto.[111][112] The plant was opened in the Shenyang industrial area and produces 3 Series and 5 Series models for the Chinese market.[113][114] In 2012, a second factory was opened in Shenyang.[115]
Between January and November 2014, BMW sold 415,200 vehicles in China, through a network of over 440 BMW stores and 100 Mini stores.[116]
On 7 October 2021, BMW announced to be moving the production of the X5 from the United States to China.[117]
In February 2022, BMW invested an additional $4.2 billion into the Chinese joint venture, increasing its stake from 50% to 75%, becoming one of the first foreign automakers holding majority stake in China.[118]
In June 2022, BMW announced a new plant project in Lydia, Shenyang designed for electric vehicles. It will become BMW Group’s largest single project in China, costing 15 billion yuan (2.13 billion euros).[119] The investment amount was raised by a further 10 billion yuan (US$1.4 billion) in November 2022, following German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to China.[120]
Hungary
On 31 July 2018, BMW announced to build 1 billion euro car factory in Hungary. The plant, to be built near Debrecen, will have a production capacity of 150,000 cars a year.[121]
Mexico
In July 2014, BMW announced it was establishing a plant in Mexico, in the city and state of San Luis Potosi involving an investment of $1 billion. The plant will employ 1,500 people, and produce 150,000 cars annually.[122]
Netherlands
The Mini Convertible, Mini Countryman and BMW X1 are currently produced in the Netherlands at the VDL Nedcar factory in Born.[123][124] Long-term orders for the Mini Countryman ended in 2020.[125]
South Africa
BMWs have been assembled in South Africa since 1968,[126] when Praetor Monteerders’ plant was opened in Rosslyn, near Pretoria. BMW initially bought shares in the company, before fully acquiring it in 1975; in so doing, the company became BMW South Africa, the first wholly owned subsidiary of BMW to be established outside Germany. Unlike United States manufacturers, such as Ford and GM, which divested from the country in the 1980s, BMW retained full ownership of its operations in South Africa.
Following the end of apartheid in 1994, and the lowering of import tariffs, BMW South Africa ended local production of the 5 Series and 7 Series, in order to concentrate on production of the 3 Series for the export market. South African–built BMWs are now exported to right hand drive markets including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 1997, BMW South Africa has produced vehicles in left-hand drive for export to Taiwan, the United States and Iran, as well as South America.
Three unique models that BMW Motorsport created for the South African market were the E23 M745i (1983), which used the M88 engine from the BMW M1, the BMW 333i (1986), which added a six-cylinder 3.2-litre M30 engine to the E30,[127] and the E30 BMW 325is (1989) which was powered by an Alpina-derived 2.7-litre engine.
The plant code (position 11 in the VIN) for South African built models is «N».[128]
United States
BMW cars have been officially sold in the United States since 1956[129] and manufactured in the United States since 1994.[130] The first BMW dealership in the United States opened in 1975.[131] In 2016, BMW was the twelfth highest selling brand in the United States.[132]
The manufacturing plant in Greer, South Carolina has the highest production of the BMW plants worldwide,[133] currently producing approximately 1,500 vehicles per day.[134] The models produced at the Spartanburg plant are the X3, X4, X6 and X7 SUV models. The X5 model’s production was announced to be moving to China in December 2021.[117]
In addition to the South Carolina manufacturing facility, BMW’s North American companies include sales, marketing, design, and financial services operations in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Latin America.
Complete knock-down assembly facilities
Brazil
On 9 October 2014, BMW’s new complete knock-down (CKD) assembly plant in Araquari, assembled its first car— an F30 3 Series.[135][136]
The cars assembled at Araquari are the F20 1 Series, F30 3 Series, F48 X1, F25 X3 and Mini Countryman.[137]
Egypt
Bavarian Auto Group became the importer of the BMW and Mini brands in 2003.
Since 2005, the 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X1 and X3 models sold in Egypt are assembled from complete knock-down components at the BMW plant in 6th of October City.[137]
India
BMW India was established in 2006 as a sales subsidiary with a head office located in Gurugram.
A BMW complete knock-down assembly plant was opened in Chennai in 2007, assembling Indian-market 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X1, X3, X5, Mini Countryman and motorcycle models.[137][138] The 20 Million Euro plant aims to produce 1,700 cars per year.
Russia
Russian-market 3 Series and 5 Series cars are assembled from complete knock-down components in Kaliningrad beginning in 1999.[139] In March 2022, BMW left Russian market and stopped importing and producing cars in Russia due to International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War.[140]
Malaysia
BMW’s complete knock-down (CKD) assembly plant in Kedah. Assembled Malaysia-market 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6 and Mini Countryman since 2008.[141]
Vehicle importers
Canada
BMW’s first dealership in Canada, located in Ottawa, was opened in 1969.[142] In 1986, BMW established a head office in Canada.[143]
BMW sold 28,149 vehicles in Canada in 2008.[144]
Japan
BMW Japan Corp, a wholly owned subsidiary, imports and distributes BMW vehicles in Japan.[145]
Philippines
BMW Philippines, an owned subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation, is the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines.[146]
BMW sold 920 vehicles in the Philippines in 2019.[147]
South Korea
BMW Korea imports BMW vehicles in South Korea with more than fifty service centers to fully accomplish to South Korean customers. Also, BMW Korea has its own driving center in Incheon.[148]
See also
- BMW Group Classic
- List of BMW engines
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Further reading
- Grunert, Manfred; Triebe, Florian (2006). Das Unternehmen BMW seit 1916 [The BMW Company since 1916] (in German). Königswinter, Germany: Heel Verlag. ISBN 3932169468.
- Hodges, David (2000). BMW. Suttons Photographic History of Transport series. Stroud, Gloucestershire, England: Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0750921447.
- Kiley, David (2004). Driven: Inside BMW, the Most Admired Car Company in the World. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-471-26920-5.
- Lewandowski, Jürgen (2006). BMW: Typen und Geschichte [BMW: Types and History] (in German) (3rd ed.). Bielefeld: Delius Klasing. ISBN 3768814203.
- Lewin, Tony (2022). BMW Century (2nd ed.). Beverly, MA, USA: Motorbooks. ISBN 9780760373774.
- Noakes, Andrew (2010). The Ultimate History of BMW: From the innovative 328 sports car and the Isetta bubble car to the 5 Series Gran Turismo. Bath: Parragon Books. ISBN 9781407549781.
- Schrader, Halwart (2011). BMW: Passion · Power · Perfektion [BMW: Passion · Power · Perfection] (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 9783613033788.
- ———————— (2016). BMW: Von 1981 bis heute [BMW: From 1981 to today]. Typenkompass series (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 9783613038721.
- Werner, Constanze (2006). Kriegswirtschaft und Zwangsarbeit bei BMW [War Economy and Forced Labour at BMW] (in German). München: Oldenbourg. ISBN 3486577921.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to BMW.
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Далее
RAPP MOTORENWERKE СТАНОВИТСЯ BMW.
Штаб-квартира Rapp Motorenwerke находилась в столице Баварии, Мюнхене. Там же располагался и завод Gustav Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik, на котором двигатели устанавливались на самолеты. Когда в 1916 году компания Густава Отто обанкротилась, она была переименована в Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG (BFW). Вскоре после этого Rapp тоже изменила свое название. В 1917 году она получила имя Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH. Напоминание о компании Rapp, лежавшей у истоков BMW, до сих пор сохраняется в логотипе бренда.
Далее
НАЗВАНИЕ «BMW» ИСЧЕЗАЕТ — НА ВРЕМЯ.
В августе 1918 года Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH стала акционерной компанией. Однако с завершением Первой мировой войны прекратилось и строительство авиационных двигателей, так как по Версальскому договору Германии было запрещено выпускать их. Поэтому BMW сосредоточила свою деятельность на железнодорожных тормозах и разных встроенных двигателях. Дела шли настолько хорошо, что берлинская компания по выпуску тормозов Knorr-Bremse AG выкупила в 1920 году контрольный пакет компании BMW и перебазировалась в Мюнхен. Как независимая компания Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH на время сошла со сцены, но ненадолго.
ОСНОВАНИЕ BMW, ДУБЛЬ ДВА.
В 1922 году главным акционером компании Knorr-Bremse AG был Камилло Кастильони — крупный предприниматель, вложивший немало средств в авиастроение. Он приобрел права на название BMW, а также выкупил технологии производства двигателей, весь штат сотрудников, заводские корпуса и логотип компании и объединил все в фирме BFW — Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG.В том же году компания переехала в здания завода BFW на Лерхенауэр-штрассе и поменяла название на Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. Таким образом название BMW оказалось внесено в реестр коммерческих предприятий во второй раз.
Все это означает, что BMW AG стала правопреемником BFW. Головной офис и главный завод BMW Group до сих пор располагаются на территории бывшей BFW в мюнхенском районе Мильберстхофен. Кроме того, компания по производству самолетов передала BMW AG по наследству еще одну ценность: 7 марта 1916 года, дата основания BFW, считается официальным днем рождения BMW.
- Конфигуратор
- Автомобили с пробегом
- Тест-драйв
Координаты: 48°10′35.99″ с. ш. 11°33′34.71″ в. д. / 48.176664° с. ш. 11.559642° в. д. (G) (O)
Запрос «БМВ» перенаправляется сюда; см. также другие значения.
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG | |
Тип |
Акционерное общество |
---|---|
Листинг на бирже |
FWB: BMW , ISE:BMW |
Год основания |
1916 |
Расположение |
Германия: Мюнхен |
Ключевые фигуры |
Норберт Райтхофер, председатель совета директоров |
Отрасль |
Автомобильная промышленность |
Продукция |
Автомобили, мотоциклы |
Оборот |
▲ €68,8 млрд (2011 год)[1] |
Операционная прибыль |
€7,077 млрд (2011 год) |
Чистая прибыль |
▲ €4,907 млрд (2011 год) |
Число сотрудников |
~100 000 (конец 2011 года)[2] |
Аудитор |
KPMG К |
Сайт |
bmw.ru |
BMW AG (аббревиатура от Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, рус. Баварские моторные заводы) — немецкий производитель автомобилей, мотоциклов, двигателей, а также велосипедов. Председателем компании на сегодняшний день является Норберт Райтхофер, а главным дизайнером — Адриан ван Хойдонк. Девиз компании на английском языке — «The Ultimate Driving Machine» и «Sheer Driving Pleasure». На русском языке — «С удовольствием за рулем».
Содержание
- 1 Название
- 2 История
- 2.1 До Второй мировой войны
- 2.2 После Второй мировой войны
- 2.2.1 Производство лёгких мотоциклов
- 2.2.2 BMW
- 3 Собственники и руководство
- 4 Деятельность
- 5 Модельный ряд
- 6 См. также
- 7 Примечания
- 8 Литература
- 9 Ссылки
Название
По-русски название «BMW» произносится «бэ-эм-вэ́»; изредка встречается написание «БМВ».
Существует также несколько «неофициальных» названий: для мотоциклов фирмы исторически сложилось название «бимер» (англ. beemer), для автомобилей — похожее, но не равнозначное «биммер» (англ. bimmer)[3]. В России для обозначения марки могут также применяться названия «бэха», «бумер»[4], в Греции «beba», в арабских странах — «BM»[5]. Автомобили также могут называться соответственно их серии, например для 5-й серии — рус. пятёрка, нем. Fünfer, англ. fiver.
История
До Второй мировой войны
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В этом разделе не хватает ссылок на источники информации.
Информация должна быть проверяема, иначе она может быть поставлена под сомнение и удалена. |
Фирма была основана Карлом Фридрихом Раппом в октябре 1913 года, первоначально как производитель авиационных двигателей, Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke. Округ Мюнхена — Milbertshofen был выбран потому, что он располагался близко от Flugmaschinenfabrik Густава Отто — немецкого производителя самолётов. С 1929 года, бело-голубая круглая эмблема BMW, использующаяся и до сих пор (показана справа вверху) для удобства начинает трактоваться, как самолётный винт на фоне голубого неба. В настоящее время компания утверждает, что белый и голубой цвета на логотипе взяты из флага Баварии.
BMW 320i E46
BMW Vision Dynamics
В 1916 году компания подписывает контракт на производство двигателей V12 для Австро-Венгрии. Нуждаясь в дополнительном финансировании, Рапп получает поддержку Камилло Кастильони и Макса Фрица, компания воссоздаётся как Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH. Сверхрасширение послужило причиной трудностей, Рапп покинул компанию, и руководство компанией было принято австрийским промышленником Францем Джозефом Поппом в 1917 году, компания была названа BMW AG в 1918.
В 1919 году Франц Димер установил первый мировой рекорд BMW, поднявшись на высоту 9760 метров на аэроплане с двигателем BMW.
После Первой мировой войны, Версальский мирный договор 1919 запретил производство самолётов в Германии. Отто закрыл свою фабрику и BMW перешла на производство тормозов для поездов.
В 1922 году BMW строит своё сегодняшнее основное здание восточнее от мюнхенского аэропорта Обервизенфельд (сегодня это городской Олимпийский Центр).
В 1923 год первый мотоцикл BMW выпущен на фабрике в Мюнхене.
В 1924 году состоялся первый межконтинентальный полёт в Персию на самолёте, оснащённом двигателями BMW.
В 1926 году гидросамолёт Rohrbach Ro VII с двигателями BMW VI устанавливает пять мировых рекордов.
1927 год. В этом году было установлено 87 мировых рекордов в авиации. 29 из них — на самолётах с двигателями BMW.
В 1928 году BMW приобретает автомобильный завод в Айзенахе (Тюрингия), и с ним лицензию на производство небольшого автомобиля под названием Dixi. Компания заключает лицензионное соглашение на постройку радиальных двигателей с американским производителем авиамоторов Pratt & Whitney.
1929 Dixi — название первой машины BMW. Она была разработана в Мюнхене, как и все последующие продукты BMW, однако автомобили производились в Айзенахе до сороковых годов. Эрнст Хенне становится самым быстрым мотоциклистом в мире на мотоцикле BMW.
После Второй мировой войны
Bmw Alpina B5
Могущественный в довоенную эпоху концерн BMW оказался после Второй мировой войны в критическом положении, во многом из-за запрета на производство составлявших основу её бизнеса авиационных двигателей и уничтожения или занятия противниками Германии по мировой войне заводов концерна в Мюнхене и Айзенахе. Так, мюнхенский завод Milbertshofen, согласно решению американских оккупационных сил, подлежал сносу[6]. Как и другим немецким автомобильным компаниям с разрушенной Второй мировой войной промышленной базой, BMW понадобились годы на возрождение в качестве серьёзного производителя автомобилей: лишь в 1962 году компания выпустила на рынок автомобиль, позволивший ей выполнить эту задачу[7].
Стратегия BMW в послевоенные годы заключалась в попытках поправить дела за счет производства мотоциклов с малой мощностью, так как союзники позволили BMW по итогам войны производить мотоциклы с объёмом двигателя лишь до 250 куб. см., а также больших и комфортабельных седанов. Однако рыночная конъюнктура и предпринятые менеджментом BMW попытки восстановить производство авиационных моторов привело компанию BMW на самый край пропасти и едва не закончилось установлением над ней контроля со стороны извечного конкурента — Mercedes-Benz.
Производство лёгких мотоциклов
Однако персоналу компании удалось спасти BMW за счет выпуска хозтоваров и велосипедов, что отразилось и на решении американцев отменить решение о сносе завода и последовавшем разрешении на производство лёгких мотоциклов. Так в 1948 году мотоцикл R24 из Мюнхена стал первым послевоенным изделием BMW. Как и его предшественник 1930-х годов, R24 комплектовался фирменной карданной передачей BMW, окрашивался в чёрный цвет и имел белую обивку коляски.
В отличие от своего предшественника, это изделие имело одноцилиндровый двигатель рабочим объёмом всего 247 куб. см, гораздо более низкую цену, и, как следствие, был гораздо более доступен и пользовался большим спросом у нуждающихся в средствах передвижения немцев.
К 1951 году BMW производила более 18 тыс. этих мотоциклов в год, что приносило прибыль и позволило разрабатывать новую модель — R51 уже с 2-цилиндровым оппозитным двигателем[8].
BMW
1951 — BMW производит свой первый послевоенный автомобиль — 501.
1954 — BMW становится чемпионом мира в гонках мотоциклов с колясками и удерживает мировое первенство следующие двадцать лет.
1955 — Отделение BMW Triebwerk GmbH возвращается к жизни. Компания ориентируется на традиции производства авиамоторов. Следующим шагом в правильном направлении стало изменение политики компании BMW с целью популяризации своей продукции у среднего класса. А первым массовым автомобилем в послевоенные годы стала BMW Isetta. Идея создания миниатюрной машины принадлежала итальянской компании Iso, а созданный ей прототип кузова был куплен немцами.
1956 — Спортивные автомобили моделей 503 и 507.
1959 — Модель 700 стала первым большим серийным успехом для автомобилей BMW. Компания BMW выставляется на продажу.
1975 — В эти годы появилась первая тройка в истории BMW,она была выпущена в кузове Е21.
1994 — Запущен завод BMW в Спартанбурге. Открыт 16-й филиал BMW de Mexico S.A., создано торговое представительство в Пекине.
1995 — Презентация легендарного BMW Z8. Автомобиль становится звездой кинематографа и снимается в фильме о Джеймсе Бонде.
1999 — На Детройтском автосалоне проходит презентация нового полноприводного внедорожника BMW X5
Собственники и руководство
Штаб-квартира BMW и здание музея BMW в Мюнхене, Германия.
На 25 июля 2011г. Стефан Квандт владеет 17,4% бумаг автопроизводителя, его сестра Сузанне Клаттен — 12,6%, их мать Йоханна Квандт — 16,7%. На рынке торгуются 53,3 процента акций компании.(http://korrespondent.net/business/rynki/companies/1243284-akcii-bmw-rekordno-vzleteli-na-sluhah-o-skupke-akcij)
Деятельность
Концерн BMW в 2008 году выпустил 1 203 482 автомобилей (падение составило 7,6 % по сравнению с аналогичным периодом 2007 года)[9].
Общая численность персонала — 100 041 человек (2008). Выручка за 2008 составила 53,2 млрд евро, чистая прибыль — 330 млн евро.[источник не указан 530 дней]
Основные конкуренты: Daimler AG, Audi.
Член Ассоциации европейских производителей автомобилей (ACEA).
Основные производственные мощности компании сосредоточены в Германии (Дингольфинг, Регенсбург, Лейпциг, Мюнхен). Также автомобили собираются на предприятиях в Таиланде, Малайзии, Индии, Египте, ЮАР, во Вьетнаме. В России автомобили BMW собираются в Калининграде («Автотор»). Также в Китае функционирует СП с Brilliance Auto.
Модельный ряд
Автомобили BMW, 1920-е — 1950-е — далее → |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Класс | 1920-е | 1930-е | 1940-е | 1950-е | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
Одноцилиндровые | Isetta 250/300 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Оппозитные двухцилиндровые | 600 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Рядные четырехцилиндровые | Dixi 3/15/Dixi 3/15 DA/Dixi 3/15 DA1/ | 3/15 DA2/Wartburg DA3/ 3/15 DA4/ 3/20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Рядные шестицилиндровые | 303 | 315/315/1 | BMW 320/321 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
326 | 326 | 340/340-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
319 | 327 | 327 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
329 | 335 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
V8 | 501/502 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
503 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
507 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Спорткар | 328 |
Автомобили BMW |
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Автомобили BMW 1920-1960
Автомобили BMW, 1960-е — настоящее время
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См. также
BMW на Викискладе? |
- Автомобили BMW
- Музей BMW
- Двигатели BMW
- BMW Concept Gran Coupe
- BMW GINA
Примечания
- ↑ Annual Report 2011 (PDF). BMW Group. Архивировано из первоисточника 23 июня 2012. Проверено 15 мая 2012.
- ↑ BMW Group sales reach all-time high in March (англ.). BMW Group (11 апреля 2012). Архивировано из первоисточника 23 июня 2012. Проверено 14 мая 2012.
- ↑ BMW 5 Series — Bimmer vs. Beamer vs. Beemer (англ.) (10 марта 2005). Архивировано из первоисточника 28 августа 2008. Проверено 13 мая 2011.
- ↑ «Бэха», «бумеры». И только (рус.). Деловой Петербург (6 августа 2007). Архивировано из первоисточника 6 августа 2007. Проверено 13 мая 2011.
- ↑ Jennifer Dylan. The Bimmer’s Bavaria (англ.). Vehicles Magazine (30 апреля 2007). Архивировано из первоисточника 12 октября 2008. Проверено 13 мая 2011.
- ↑ Тони Льюин. BMW. Полная книга. Все модели с 1950 года = The Complete Book of BMW: Every Model In the World Since 1950 / Пер. с англ. К. Ткаченко. — М.: «Издательство ФАИР», 2008. — С. 23. — 384 с. — ISBN 978-5-8183-1358-0 (рус.) ISBN 0-7603-1951-0 (англ.)
- ↑ Тони Льюин. BMW. Полная книга. Все модели с 1950 года = The Complete Book of BMW: Every Model In the World Since 1950 / Пер. с англ. К. Ткаченко. — М.: «Издательство ФАИР», 2008. — С. 10. — 384 с. — ISBN 978-5-8183-1358-0 (рус.) ISBN 0-7603-1951-0 (англ.)
- ↑ Тони Льюин. BMW. Полная книга. Все модели с 1950 года = The Complete Book of BMW: Every Model In the World Since 1950 / Пер. с англ. К. Ткаченко. — М.: «Издательство ФАИР», 2008. — С. 24. — 384 с. — ISBN 978-5-8183-1358-0 (рус.) ISBN 0-7603-1951-0 (англ.)
- ↑ BMW на сайте vmotore.info
Литература
- Льюин Т. BMW. Полная книга. Все модели с 1950 года / Тони Льюин. — Пер. с англ. К. Ткаченко. — М.: «Издательство ФАИР», 2008. — 384 с.: ил. Научный редактор: С. В. Канунников, руководитель отдела испытаний науки и техники журнала «За рулем». ISBN 978-5-8183-1358-0 (рус.) ISBN 0-7603-1951-0 (англ.)
Ссылки
- bmw.ru — официальный сайт BMW
- bmw.com — официальный сайт BMW (англ.)
- Подборка креативной рекламы BMW
База расчёта индекса DAX (с 23 марта 2009) |
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Сегодня BMW — это современный, достойный и популярный производитель транспортных средств. Однако история компании БМВ ярко отражает ее путь, пройденный для того, чтобы завоевать доверие и уважение своих поклонников.
В настоящее время логотип BMW украшает автомобили, мотоциклы, велосипеды, двигатели самого лучшего качества. Оборот компании составляет около 170 миллиардов евро в год, из которых примерно 9 миллиардов составляет чистая прибыль. Крупные дочерние компании марки специализируются на производстве малолитражек, автомобилей класса люкс и электромобилей.
Логотип компании
Территориально главный офис компании находится в Германии, в городе Мюнхен. Производственные мощности расположены как в некоторых городах Германии, так и в других странах. Автомобили БМВ уже много лет составляют успешную конкуренцию продукции Mercedes Benz. Изначально основанная для производства авиационных двигателей, компания прочно вошла в автомобильную промышленность и является одним из флагманов в этой отрасли.
Главный офис компании
Быстрая навигация по статье
- Как все начиналось
- История автомобилестроения
- Послевоенное восстановление
- Трудные времена
- Эпоха возрождения
- Стремительное развитие
- Роскошный, надежный, дорогой
- История мотостроения
- История двигателей
- Спорт в истории BMW
- Происхождение названия
- Создание логотипа
- Взгляд в будущее
Как все начиналось
История создания компании началась с того, что в 1916 году Карл Фридрих Рапп зарегистрировал свою фирму по производству авиационных двигателей. Штаб-квартира будущего лидера автопрома расположилась в Мюнхене, преследуя определенные цели – быть поближе к производственным мощностям по производству самолетов, принадлежащих Густаву Отто – другу и, впоследствии, компаньону Раппа.
Карл Фридрих Рапп, основатель компании
Практически сразу же вновь созданному предприятию улыбнулась удача в виде выгодного контракта по производству двигателей для австро-венгерских самолетов. Попутно появилась и трудность – недостаток финансов. Для решения последней проблемы компанию удалось расширить, приняв соучредителей, обеспечивших приток денежных средств. К сожалению, подобное расширение принесло ряд неудач, повлекших уход основателя компании. Бразды правления перешли к Францу Джозефу Поппу, благодаря которому с 1918 года история продолжилась уже как компании БМВ.
В ходе исторических событий того времени, после заключения Версальского мирного договора, производство самолетов в Германии стало невозможным – оно было запрещено, и история компании повернула в другое русло – изготовление тормозных систем для поездов и составов.
Но недолго бренд БМВ имел связь с железнодорожным транспортом — уже в 1923 году под этой маркой был выпущен первый мотоцикл. Мотоциклы БМВ сразу же покорили публику своим уровнем – машины были хорошо продуманы, идеальны для гоночного использования и эффектны внешне.
Произведя отличное впечатление на покупателей мотоциклами, основатели компании не остановились на этом достижении и в 1928 году были приобретены первые производственные мощности по производству автомобилей. С этого времени наряду с мотоциклами получил право на жизнь первый автомобиль.
История автомобилестроения
История автомобилей BMW началась с малолитражек. В то время (а это 20-30 годы XX века) малолитражные автомобили были на пике популярности благодаря своей экономичности по расходу топлива, маневренности и простоте управления. Так, первым разработанным и выпущенным авто БМВ стала Dixi 3/15 PS. В ней было всего 20 лошадиных сил, но ряд ее достоинств дополняла возможность развивать скорость до 80 км/час, четырехцилиндровый двигатель и безукоризненное качество исполнения. Эта модель во многом была скопирована с известной английской марки, поэтому в 1933 году модельный ряд пополнился малолитражной собственной разработки: BMW 303.
303
Небольшой объем двигателя комфортно сочетался в ней с относительно легким кузовом и не плохой мощность в 30 лошадиных сил. Это была уже настоящая представительница бренда, с характерным и в наше время внешним видом радиаторной решетки.
В 1936-1937 годах были выпущены BMW 321 и 327 – авто полноценных габаритных размеров, с двухлитровым двигателем. Красивые, качественные и весьма недешевые. Таким образом, история BMW, как бренда, гарантирующего высшее качество продукции, была начата в 1927 году и продолжается в наши дни.
Послевоенное восстановление
Вынужденный перерыв в автомобилестроении из-за военных действий и их последствий коснулся и компании БМВ. Заводы, расположенные в Германии, не имели возможности выпускать авто и мото технику. Разрешение на их изготовление было получено лишь 1948 году.
Первая, выпущенная после войны BMW 501, оказалась заведомо неудачной. Во-первых, пока длились работы по ее разработке и получению разрешений на выпуск, машна уже морально и физически устарела – двигатель не имел хорошей мощности, а внешность не привлекала покупателей. Во-вторых, цена на 501 была слишком высокой для послевоенной Германии, а этот факт еще никогда не повышал продажи.
501
Проглотив неудачу, баварцы взялись за работу, которая принесла крупные плоды. В 1954 году состоялся выпуск модели 502, которая внешне вроде бы и была одной из версий модели 501, но имела явное преимущество – полностью алюминиевый двигатель V8. До этого история двигателей автомобилестроения никогда не знала подобного мотора.
502
Хорошую прибыль обеспечил массовый выпуск новой модели, изготовленной по итальянской лицензии – BMW Isetta. Это небольшой аппарат с одной дверью и мотоциклетным двигателем. Такие малютки пользовались огромной популярностью; их было собрано более шестнадцати тысяч экземпляров.
Isetta
Трудные времена
В середине 50-х годов двадцатого века история развития компании ознаменовалась разработкой и выпуском двух шикарных моделей BMW: 503 и 507 Roadster. Первую сразу же заметили на мотор-шоу 1955 года благодаря оригинальному строению кузова под названием хартоп.
507 Roadster
Мощный двигатель и возможность развивать скорость почти до двухсот километров в час гарантировано сделали эту модель главным участником шоу во Франкфурте. 507-я БМВ сразу же после выпуска была признана одной из самых красивых машин в мире. В ней 3.2-литровый двигатель гармонично сочетался с элегантным внешним видом кузова, разработанным графом Альбрехтом Гертцем. Кстати, один из этих родстеров прославился, будучи купленным Элвисом Пресли.
К сожалению, эти автомобили БМВ хотя и были созданы стильными и качественными, но и имели весьма дорогую стоимость, что не могло не отразиться на финансовом состоянии компании. Производство мотоциклов оставалось на среднем уровне, дорогие седаны покупались мало, а небольшие авто уже не пользовались таким спросом, как раньше. История марки BMW снова столкнулась с возможностью преждевременного окончания.
Эпоха возрождения
В декабре 1959 года было объявлено о возможной продаже компании. Кризис помогла разрешить модель 700. Ее украсил кузов Michelotti, а функционал обеспечивался мотором в 700 кубов и мощностью в 30 лошадиных сил. Особенность этой модели – расположение мотора сзади. 700-я отлично была воспринята публикой и заказы посыпались один за другим.
700
Испытав небольшой подъем, марка уже в 1962 году не только уверенно встала на ноги, но и обрела славу, известную и по сегодняшний день. БМВ 1500 — именно эта модель принесла всемирную известность баварской компании. Заднеприводная, с узнаваемым прогибом кузова и радиаторной решеткой, она была оснащена четырехцилиндровым двигателем – настолько прекрасным во всех отношениях, что даже советские инженеры отдали ему должное, скопировав его для своего творения – Москвича.
1500
В 60-е годы история BMW стремительно развивала направление седанов и купе с эффектным внешним видом и привлекательными техническими характеристиками. 1962 год стал годом выпуска BMW 3200 CS с кузовом Bertone, 1965 ознаменовался производством первой машиной с автоматической трансмиссией — это было купе BMW 2000.
3200 CS
Мощность авто с каждым годом стремительно возрастает, уже в 1968 году автомобиль этой марки преодолел планку в 200 км/час. Речь идет о BMW 2800 CS.
Стремительное развитие
Этот период пришелся на 70-90 года прошлого века. BMW 3.0 C SL – легендарная гоночная модель, способная развивать скорость до 220 км/час, имеющая усовершенствованный двигатель и новинку тех времен — ABS тормоза.
BMW 2000 Turbo – основоположница серийного выпуска автомобилей с турбонаддувом.
BMW 3er – с этой модели начался выпуск третьей серии кузовов. Здесь был представлен двигатель нового поколения с вентилятором охлаждения, усовершенствованны шасси.
BMW 6er – купе спортивного класса, имеющее потрясающий внешний вид, надежный двигатель Big Six. В этой серии модели претерпели множество изменений. Уже к 1989 году они имели в комплектации люк, кожаный салон в цвет кузова, компьютер, дисковые тормоза, кондиционер.
BMW 7er – кузов типа седан класса люкс. В этой серии было выпущено довольно много моделей. 728, 730 и 733і – одни из первых, имеющие в своем арсенале Chek-control, индикаторы расхода и автомат ZF.
733і
Последующие модели были более усовершенствованны, в том числе комплектовались турбонаддувом, полным электропакетом и кожаным салон. В 1986 году именно «семерку» БМВ впервые снабдили двенадцатициллиндровым двигателем.
Роскошный, надежный, дорогой
Наблюдая за изменениями в модификациях авто, носящих эмблемы БМВ, можно с уверенностью сказать, что с каждым годом комплектация легковых автомобилей становится все более шикарной, способной предусмотреть малейшие потребности пользователей, обеспечивающей полный комфорт и удобство в любых ситуациях.
Автомобили BMW продолжают выпускаться в седанах и купе, а уже в 1998 году, вышла модель третьей серии, которая представлена как в седане, так и в универсале, и в хетчбэке. А 1999 год стал годом рождения, можно сказать, уже легендарного кроссовера Х5.
Х5
Основная особенность этой модели – одинаково хорошая приспособленность к бездорожью и к автобану – пока что никому ранее не удавалось объединить эти качества в своем детище. Она произвела настоящую сенсацию среди автолюбителей и стала бестселлером продаж на многие годы.
В 2001 году история моделей БМВ совершила очередной крутой виток, представив свое творение из линейки 7er – Е65, отличающееся от всех, ранее изготовленных, кардинально новым подходом к управлению механизмом. Для нее была разработана система i-Drіve, позволяющая координировать до 700 параметров, шести-ступенчатая коробка-автомат и сервоприводной тормоз.
Е65
Анализируя историю всего модельного ряда bmw, становится понятен принцип успеха этой компании. Здесь в приоритете интеллектуальные технические разработки, внедрение самых смелых идей, ориентирование на клиента в мелочах, а также – дальновидность акционеров и правильный мониторинг рыночного спроса.
История мотостроения
Несмотря на явный приоритет в автомобилестроительной отрасли, были, есть и будут востребованы и мотоциклы. Этот вид транспорта имеет свои достоинства, свой рынок и ассортимент.
Самый первый в истории компании мотоцикл создал инженер Макс Фриз, воплотив кардинально новую идею строения данного средства передвижения. Его мысль была необычной для 1922 года и заключалась в возможности установить двигатель не вдоль, а поперек продольной оси мотоцикла.
Первый мотоцикл
Разработка привела к выпуску инновационной модели R32. Она была представлена на известном мотор-шоу в 1923 году и получила громкую огласку и быстрорастущую популярность, даже несмотря на достаточно высокую стоимость.
Широко представив свою новинку и в виде городского транспорта, и в виде гоночного, компания занялась совершенствованием первой модели. Уже через десять лет мотоциклы, носящие эмблемы БМВ, претерпели существенные изменения. Трубчатые рамы были заменены основами из прессованного металла, объем двигателя достигает 750 «кубиков», вилка переднего колеса снабжена амортизацией. Подобным образом выглядели модели R12 и R17, выпускаемые в 1935 году.
R17
Всемирную известность компании БМВ, как производителю мотоциклов, принесли гонки. Именно устанавливая постоянно новые скоростные рекорды, мототехника немецкого бренда стала невероятно популярной не только в своей стране, но и за рубежом. Известную победу марке BMW принес в 1939 году гонщик Джорж Майер, создав уникальный компрессор, соединяющий в себе легкость машины и высокий скоростной режим.
Отличную рекламу бренду послужила и Вторая мировая война. Озаботившись обеспечением войск техникой, власти отдавали предпочтения именно БМВ, учитывая их предыдущие заслуги по скорости и легкости в управлении и обслуживании. Некоторые модели были созданы непосредственно для военных целей, как, например, R 75, получившая массу положительных отзывов и наград от военачальников разных стран.
R 75
После войны компания поставила перед собой более актуальную цель на мирное время – обеспечение комфорта водителя и пассажиров мотоциклов. В 1951 году была выпущена R51/3 с усовершенствованным двигателем Boxer и плавным ходом.
Со временем производитель будет продолжать работы по доведению комплектации и характеристик своих мотоциклов. В 60-х годах мода на этот вид транспорта как для передвижения, так и для занятий спортом, распространятся на всю Европу и даже Америку.
Мотоциклы становится выгодно производить сериями. Комфортные и надежные модели БМВ получают широкое распространение и мировую известность. Новый R75/5 с объемом двигателя 750 кубов отличается не только высокой скоростью, но и легкостью в управлении, дизайном и качеством комплектующих.
В 1973 году была выпущен юбилейный, 500 000 экземпляр мотоцикла – R 90 S. Его отличительные особенности – обтекаемая форма и увеличенный объем мотора. В скором времени его дополнила еще более актуализированная R 100 RS. Производство мототехники стало (и до сих пор остается) востребованным.
R 100 RS
1980 год стал знаменательным в области производства мотоциклов на заводах BMW. Для модели R 80 G/S был разработан одинарный маятник заднего колеса – такая конструкция позволила машине преодолевать бездорожье, не жертвуя при этом скоростным режимом.
Дальнейшие разработки позволили оборудовать К100 электронным впрыском топлива и обеспечить его мощностью в 90 лошадиных сил. Также в 1993 году очередная новинка покорила и женские сердца – F650 одноцилиндровая носительница бело-голубого значка марки.
Время расцвета выпуска мототехники пришлось на 90-е годы прошлого века. В 1996 году компания приостанавливает выпуск трехцилиндровых моделей (К75) и переходит на четырехцилиндровые – 1200 RS с двигателем в 1171 кубический сантиметр и мощностью в 130 лошадиных сил. Доработанные до идеала подвеска и привод делают новинку звездой продаж, она популярна как для туризма, так и для передвижений по городам и автобанам.
В настоящее время мотоциклы представлены в огромном ассортименте, здесь есть и туристические модели, проходящие по любой дороге или даже в ее отсутствии, скоростные спортивные байки, способные удовлетворить самых искушенных водителей, и, конечно, классические варианты для городской езды – элегантные или экстравагантные.
Мотоциклы БМВ постоянно совершенствуются, их качество давно подтверждено годами успешной эксплуатации, надежной конструкцией и авторитетом данного бренда.
История двигателей
БМВ изначально была образована как компания по выпуску двигателей, и не так важно, что двигатели планировалось производить для авиастроения! Как бы там ни было, основывая производство, учредители сделали ставку на качество именно этой части машин – двигатели для своих автомобилей и мотоциклов компания всегда конструировала, собирала и совершенствовала самостоятельно, добиваясь стабильной работы и максимальной производительности.
Выпускаемые в самом начале, двигатели, в основном, имели военное назначение и делались по заказу для немецкой армии. А вот после окончания Второй мировой войны и заключения Версальского договора, запрещающего производить военную технику, заводу пришлось направить свою деятельность немного в другое русло.
Первыми, выпускаемыми компанией двигателями, были примитивные М10-М50, это было первое поколение моторов, к которым еще не предъявлялись особенные требования, ремонт их был частым и насколько простым, что временами осуществлялся самостоятельно владельцами машин.
Усовершенствованные со временем двигатели, имели механизм управления фазами газораспределения впускного клапана – VANOS. Их уже можно отнести к моторам нового поколения. Здесь значительно увеличена износостойкость двигателя и учитываются экологические параметры работы.
Следующий этап заключается в термостате, открытие которого происходит при 97 градусах, это дало возможность идеально приспособить мотор для езды в городских условиях. В таких двигателях присутствует функция полного сгорания топлива. Подобные двигатели (а это М54, M52TU) работают с электронной педалью газа, чувствительность которой повышена в десятки раз. Этот аппарат весьма прихотлив к выбору марки топлива. Качество заливаемого продукта напрямую влияет на его правильную работу и длительность эксплуатации.
Спорт в истории BMW
Выпуская такое огромное разнообразие моделей автомобилей и мотоциклов, история BMW не могла обойти стороной такую популярную область применения техники, как спорт. Часто именно спортивные модели приносили бренду популярность и обеспечивали рост продаж!
Первый спорткар БМВ был изготовлен в 1936 году и моментально произвел фурор в мире автоспорта. Это был BMW 328, его конструкция идеально сочетала легкий вес машины и хорошую мощность при объеме двигателя всего в два литра. В последующие годы на основе этой модели были выпущены и другие, более скоростные.
Первый спорткар
Акционеры компании, видя успешную тенденцию развития производства в спортивном направлении, в 1972 году создали дочернюю компанию — BMW Motorsport GmbH. Она была предназначена специально для разработки, производства и доработки гоночных моделей.
В 1973 году головокружительную славу после участия в кольцевых гонках получила BMW 3.0 CSL. Эта модель имела и соответствующий гоночный вид – спойлеры на багажнике, увеличенные крылья, а кроме этого – массу достоинств в техническом оснащении. Похожую карьеру имела и первый вариант с турбонаддувом – BMW 2002 turbo – к ней был разработан уникальный двигатель, приспособленный именно для гоночной трассы.
Именно в это время БМВ уверенно стала лидером в спортивных сериях, выпуская гоночные новинки с легким весом и высокой мощностью. В этой области производятся как автомобили, так и мотоциклы. В автомобилестроении продолжает развиваться серия CSL, появляется шестицилиндровый двигатель, тормозная система АБС, кузов из специальных легковесных сплавов.
Мотоциклы BMW очень быстро развиваются в гоночном бизнесе — основная направленность работы конструкторов компании идет именно в этом направлении. Разрабатываются двигатели для болидов гоночных авто. Известная серия мотоциклов Boxer претерпела множество усовершенствований, включая специальные гоночные двигатели, амортизаторы колес и приспособленность к езде по бездорожью. В частности, именно на мотоцикле BMW (это была R 90 S) в 1976 году был Чемпионат Супербайк в Америке.
R 90 S
Все эти успехи привели к открытию в 1988 году специальных производственных мощностей BMW Motorsport GmbH в Мюнхене.
Более 50 лет существует отдельная гоночная программа от BMW Motorsport, предусматривающая производство и продажу авто для гоночного спорта.
Происхождение названия
Название BMW логически произошло из первоначального предназначения компании: Bayerische Motoren Werke, а именно – «Баварские моторные заводы». История бренда началась незадолго до Первой Мировой Войны, когда и было создано это предприятие по производству авиадвигателей.
Официально это произошло в Мюнхене, 20 июля 1917 года – с этой даты и идет отсчет истории БМВ. Основателями баварских моторных заводов были Карл Рапп и Густав Отто – открыв две свои маленькие компании, они впоследствии объединили их в одну, как раз и ставшую всемирно известной BMW.
Создание логотипа
Не менее интересна история логотипа бренда. Известные каждому современному человеку сине-белые эмблемы БМВ были разработаны в самом начале основания предприятия и символизировали белый винт самолета на голубом небесном фоне.
На создание логотипа напрямую повлияла история создания этого бренда. Так как компания основывалась как Баварские моторные заводы и производила моторы для самолетов. Вполне естественно, что история логотипа началась с разработки в небесном стиле.
Первая эмблема
Самый первый вариант в истории эмблемы, утвержденный в 1917 году, изображал пропеллер летящего самолета. Идея его была замечательной, но в исполнении такой логотип оказался сложным и визуально детали были мелкими. В маленьком значке так и вовсе было не понять, что именно на нем изображено. Поэтому, в 1920 году акционеры компании приняли решение его усовершенствовать.
Эволюция логотипа
Изображение пропеллера был упрощено до такого вида, который известен в наше время: бело-голубые ромбы. Белые четверти круга символизируют пропеллер двигателя, голубые – небесный фон. Такое изображение актуально вдвойне, так как именно в бело-голубых тонах идут флаг и герб Баварии.
История знака BMW проста и незамысловата, а логотип этого бренда известен по всему миру и узнаваем с первого взгляда.
Взгляд в будущее
Компания, пережившая не один кризис, совершившая множество технических открытий и правильных маркетинговых ходов, прочно стоящая на ногах, просто обречена на удачную карьеру. Отмечая столетний юбилей, компания БМВ поставила для себя цель «Следующие 100 лет».
В настоящее время ведутся исследования рынков сбыта и потребности покупателей. Тщательный анализ данных приведет к разработке и производству новейших типов машин, учитывая современные цифровые технологии. В активной разработке находятся аддитивные технологии и тотальная автоматизация процессов, цифровой интеллект, возможность роботизированного управления транспортным средством и другие инновации.
Особенное внимание компания BMW уделяет и охране окружающей среды, она первой в мире ввела для своих производств требования по соблюдению экологических норм. В будущем планируется уделить этой проблеме основное внимание, учитывая новые виды топлива, электромобили и тому подобные меры.
Компания БМВ была, есть и будет оставаться одним из лидеров мировой автомобилестроительной отрасли. Качество, экстерьер, технические данные и удобство в управлении, неизменно сопровождающие абсолютно всю продукцию этой марки, уже более ста лет говорят сами за себя.
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